Harp 


NlELD. 


FROM   THE   LIBRARY  OF 
REV.    LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON,   D.  D. 

BEQUEATHED    BY   HIM   TO 

THE   LIBRARY  OF 

PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL   SEMINARY 


JXvtekrf 


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Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Library 


http://archive.org/details/teharpOOniel 


THE 

TEMPLE 

HARP 


BY    REV.    THOMAS    NIELD. 

AUTHOR   OF 

"Baptism  in   Slr^ort    Meter," 

ETC.,  ETC. 


For  Sale  by  the  Author, 

Elmira,  Otsego  County,   Michigan. 

Price  60  Cents. 


MONFORT  &  CO 

publishers. 

422  and  424  Elm  Street, 

CINCINNATI.  O. 


PREFACE. 


In  the  following  hymns  the  author's  heart 
has  broken  its  alabaster  box  of  ointment,  in  the 
hope  that  its  perfume  may  refresh  other  souls, 
by  leading  them  nearer  to  God  and  heaven. 
In  this  hope  he  sends  forth  his  little  volume. 
It  will  be  perceived  that  he  is  not  an  apostle 
of  the  "New  Theology,"  which  would  heath- 
enize the  Old  Testament,  and  so  make  Christ 
no  longer  "The  Lamb  of  God  which  taketh 
away  the  sin  of  the  world,"  but  rather  a  phil- 
osophical gentleman  of  lofty  ethical  percep- 
tions, having  courage  equal  to  his  convictions; 
nor  yet  one  who  thinks  it  wrong  to  sing  what 
it  is  right  to  talk  in  the  Lord's  house.  In 
verse  and  prose,  in  song  and  prayer,  in  the 
closet  and  the  temple,  give  us  Jesus,  in  some 
aspect  of  his  person,  his  teaching  or  his  life; 
for  where  Jesus  is  not,  God  is  afar  off.     But 


4  the:     tkmple     harp. 

we  demand  Jesus  the  God-man;  for  where  the 
God  is  not,  only  a  man  is  left,  and  man  is  the 
equal  of  Christ.  Let  any  one  read  the  prophe- 
cies of  the  Old  Testament,  and  the  gospels  of 
the  New,  and  then  say  whether  he  dare  make 
such  claims  for  himself,  or  for  any  other  man, 
as  are  there  made  for  "the  Christ,  the  Son  of 
the  living  God."  T.  N. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

God   Incomprehensible 13 

The  Triune  God 14 

What  We  Know  of  God 15 

The  Voice  of  God  in  His  Works 16 

Psalm  1 17 

Psalm   II 18 

Psalm  III 19 

Psalm  V 20 

Psalm  LXXV 21 

Psalm  XC 22 

Christ  the  First  Fruits 23 

Psalm  XCIII 24 

Psalm  C 25 

Psalm   CIII 26 

Psalm  CXXX 27 

Psalm  CXXXIII 28 

Psalm    CXLVI 29 

Psalm  CL 30 

Great  Tidings  of  Great  Joy 31 

The  Wondrous  Birth 32 


6  TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

The  Word  was  God 33 

The  Lamb  of  God 34 

He  is  Risen 35 

Shall  Alan  be  Just  with  God? 36 

The  Rich  Became  Poor 37 

The  Way,  the  Truth,  the  Life 38 

The  True  Rock 39 

Christ  with  Us 40 

The  Altogether  Lovely 41 

The  Conquering  Kingdom 42 

Thy  Kingdom  Come 43 

The  Gospel  Triumphant 44 

The  Greater  Miracles 45 

The  Holy  Spirit's  Work 46 

God  Found  in  His  Work 47 

The  Holy  Book 48 

Love  of  the  Word 49 

God's  Word  Unchangeable 50 

The  Truth  Abides 51 

The  Lord's  Memorial  Day 52 

The  Holy  Day 53 

Joy  in  Worship 54 

In  the  Sanctuary 55 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS.  7 

PAGE. 

Gethsemane 56 

The  Costly  Sacrifice 57 

An  Advocate  with  the  Father 58 

Self-Denial.  . 59 

Consecration 60 

Faith 61 

Desire  for  Faith 62 

Self-Righteousness  Vain 63 

Saved  by  Grace 64 

Assurance 65 

My  Trust 66 

Grace  for  Grace 67 

Seeking   Help 68 

Free  in  Christ 69 

Glorying  in  Christ 70 

The  Sinner's  Friend 71 

The  Heavenly  Bread J2. 

Buried  with  Christ 73 

Bearing  the  Cross 74 

Help  Received 75 

Pleasant  Ways j6 

Self  Lost  in  God yy 

God  My  Strength 78 


8  TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 

PAGE. 

Afflictions 79 

The  Cross  Twice  Borne 80 

Loving  the  Savior 81 

Trust  in  Christ 82 

My  Treasure 83 

Divine  Goodness 84 

Prayer  for  Christlikeness 85 

Prayer  for  Purity 86 

A  Desire  to  Depart 87 

Jesus  Precious  in  Death 88 

Seeking  the  Spirit's  Aid 89 

Be   Thankful 90 

Be  Not  Anxious 91 

Have  Courage 92 

Watch  and  Pray 93 

Hold  On 94 

The  Christian  Race 95 

A  Friend  in  Need 96 

Loss  is  Gain 97 

Gone  Home 98 

Rejoice 99 

Confession 100 

Revive  Us  Again iQI 


TAIJIJ-    <>!■    CONTENTS.  9 

PAGE. 

Forgive  as  We  Forgive 102 

By  the  Rivers  of  Babylon 104 

The  Ways  of  Providence 105 

Murmuring 106 

We  Know  in  Part 107 

The  New  Jerusalem 108 

vSaved  by  Hope 109 

In  the  Wilderness no 

The  Glorious  Hope in 

The  Almighty  Shepherd 112 

Heaven 113 

Our  House  Above 114 

In  Remembrance 115 

Bearing  Christ's  Afflictions 116 

A  Temple  of  the  Holy  Spirit 117 

Spiritual  Communion 118 

The  Friend  of  the  Poor 119 

The  Increase  of  God 120 

Divine  Knowledge 121 

Stewardship 122 

Using  as  Not  Abusing 123 

Worldly  Cares 124 

Children  of  a  King- I2q 


IO  TAIiLD  OF  CONTEXTS. 

PAGE. 

God  Will  Provide 126 

Be  Not  Fearful 127 

Dismissing  Care 128 

Daily   Victory 129 

To-Morrow 130 

Oar  Opportunity 131 

My  Mission 132 

Do  Thy  Work 133 

Why  Stand  Ye  Idle? 134 

The  Sinner's  Plea 135 

Your  Work 136 

The  World  for  Jesus 137 

At  the  Mercy  Seat 138 

Pray  On 139 

The  Hour  of  Prayer 140 

Asking  Amiss 141 

The  Faithful  One 142 

.Brotherly  Love 143 

Man    Immortal 144 

The  All-Seeing  Eye 145 

The  Fool's  Hope 146 

Sowing  and  Reaping 147 

The  Downward  Road 148 


TABLE  OF  CONTEXTS.  II 

PAGE. 

Divine  Long-Suffering 149 

Warning 150 

The  Passover 151 

Losing  the  Soul 1 52 

Delaying 153 

No  Peace  in  Sin 154 

Choose 155 

In  the  Storm 156 

Repenting 157 

Make  a  Stand  for  Jesus 158 

The  Reward  of  Sin  is  Sure 159 

The  Judgment  Day 160 


ERRATA. 
Page    43,Hne    6-for  -bend"  read  -tend  " 
*  age    47,  line  10— read  -unsealed  " 

Pa5e    r^rne    5-fol^b—  ^ad  "trace." 
Page    66,  line  11 -after  -goodness"  read 

Page     76    line    ^for  "much"  read -such." 
Pageio4,hne     i_for  -Babylon's"  read 

"Babylonia's." 
Page  l66,  line  , -for  «W<   1Va(,   „Togt 


the:    temple    harp.  13 

GOD  INCOMPREHENSIBLE. 

Great   Being!   vainly   finite   thought 

Would   try   to   grasp   infinity. 
In  vain  the  greatest  minds  have  sought, 

With  all  their  powers,  to  fashion  thee. 

Beyond  the  farthest   orb   of  light 

That  greets  the  earth  with  glimmering  rays, 

Thou   art   as   limitless   in   might 

As  where  on  myriad  worlds  we  gaze. 

Whate'er  exists  thy  hands  have  made; 

Its  destiny  thine  eye  hath  scanned. 
The  future,  to  thy  mind  portrayed, 

Is  only  what  that  mind  had  planned. 

In   vain,   then,   would   our  finite   thought 

Attempt  to  grasp  infinity. 
In   vain   the   greatest   minds   have   sought. 

In  vain  shall  seek,  to  fashion  thee. 


14  TH£      TEMPLE      HARP. 

THE    TRIUNE    GOD. 

Eternal  God!  who  madest  known 
Thyself  at  first  upon  thy  throne, 

One  God,  and  only  one, — 
We  joy  that,  in  a  later  day, 
Thou  show'dst  us,  in  a  gracious  way, 

Thy  Godhood  in  the  Son. 

We  praise  thee,  too,  that  later  still 
Thou  madest  known  thy  fuller  will 

As  God  the  Comforter. 
Thus  Father,   Son  and  Spirit  blend, 
And  we  are  brought  to  apprehend 

Thy  threefold  character. 

Grant,  O  Thou  triune  God,  that  we 
That  threefold  character  may  see, 

And  find  a  threefold  grace. 
Come,  Jesus!  wash  away  our  sin; 
Come,  Spirit!  sanctify  within; 

Then,  Father,  show  thy  face. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  1 5 

WHAT  WE  KNOW  OF  GOD. 

Lord,   since  we   so  little  know 
Of  thy  wondrous  works  below, 
Vain  indeed  the  task  must  be 
When  our  minds  would  compass  thee. 

Yet  how  much  of  thee  we  know, 
Mirrored  in  thy  wrorks  below; 
Much  of  mightiness  to   fear, 
Much  of  wisdom  to  revere. 

And  thou  dost  the  power  bestow 
Grandest  things  of  thee  to  know; 
Truths   that   else   must   lie    concealed 
In  thy  Word  we  find  revealed. 

There  thou  dost  thy  nature  show 
Till  thy  very  heart  we  know, 
And  we  smile  to  look  above, 
Knowing  well  that  thou  art  Love. 


l6  THE      TEMPLE      HARP. 

THE  VOICE  OF  GOD  IN  HIS  WORKS. 
Psalm  xix.  1-3. 

In  awful  vastness  o'er  our  head 

The  heavens  are  like  a  curtain  spread, 

And  through  their  realms  conspicuous  shine 

Proofs  that  their  Maker  is  divine. 

The  firmament,  in  various  ways, 
His  wondrous  handiwork  displays, 
And  all  its  changing  scenes  proclaim 
The  glories  of  Jehovah's  name. 

With  soundless  eloquence  the  day 
Tells  of  his  universal  sway, 
And  when  the  night  in  splendor  glows 
The  presence  of  a  God  it  shows. 

And  hence,  where'er  the  wanderers  be, 
These  silent  witnesses  they  see, 
And  seem  to  hear  an  inward  voice: 
"Lo,  God  is  here,  let  man  rejoice/' 


THE     TKMPTJC     harp.  17 

PSALM    I. 

Blest  is  the  man  that  heedeth  not 

The  counsel  the  ungodly  give, 
Nor  with  the  sinner  casts  his  lot, 

Xor  lives  as  wicked  scorners  live. 
The  law  of  God  is  his  delight, 

And  in  that  law  he  meditates, 
Makes  it  his  guide  by  day  and  night, 

Content  to  do  as  it  dictates. 

He  shall  he  like  a  thrifty  tree 

Planted  where  streams  perennial  flow; 
His  fruit  shall  in  its  season  be; 

His  leafy  years  no  withering  know. 
Prosperity  shall  mark  his  way; 

On  all  he  does  a  blessing  rest, 
Brightening  his  life  from  day  to  day, 

And  making  him  divinely  blest. 

Xot  so  the  godless:  they  are  driven 

Like  chaff  from  autumn's  threshing  floor. 
When  judgment  is  in  justice  given, 

They  are  undone  forevermore; 
For  God,  who  knows  his  people's  ways, 

With  blessings  will  their  steps  attend, 
But  they  who  spurn  him  all  their  days 

Shall  find  at  last  a  dreadful  end. 


Is  'II  IK,      TEMPUS      HARP, 

PSALM  II. 

Why  do  the  powers  of  earth  combine 

To  thwart  the  purposes  of  God? 
In  vain  they  brave  the  power  divine, 

Which  smites  with  an  almighty  rod 

The  Lord  who  sits  enthroned  on  high 

Shall  at  their  futile  fury  laugh, 
Till  at  his  whirlwind  voice  they  fly 

As  lightly  as  the  empty  chaff. 

His  will  is  earth's  established  law, 

The  anchor  of  his  firm  decrees; 
And  he  will  unborn  millions  draw 
To  own  his  Son  on  bended  knees. 

That  Son,  enthroned,  shall  claim  his  own; 

From  east  to  west  display  his  power; 
His  right  through  all  the  earth  make  known. 

And  seize  the  nations  as  his  dower. 

Beware,  ye  kings  and  judges,  lest 
Your  opposition  rouse  his  wrath; 

To  him  be  your  desires  addrest, 

Nor  dare  to  tempt  the  power  he  hath. 


Till;       TOIPIJ;       HARP.  19 

PSALM  III. 

Many,  Lord,  against  me  rise, 
To   assail   me   with   their   lies, 
Help,  they  say,  is  not  for  me, 
Since  I  have  no  help  in  thee. 

But  thou  art  a  shield  of  power, 
Guarding  me  in  danger's  hour; 
Source  of  joy  when  joy  is  fled, 
Lifting  up  my  drooping  head. 

Thou  hast  heard  me  in  the  past, 
When  on  thee  my  care  I  cast; 
Then  I  laid  me  down  and  slept. 
And  awoke,  in  safety  kept. 

Why,  then,  should  I  fear  to-day. 
Though  my  foes  are  in  array? 
Save  me,  O  my  God,  once  more ; 
Bless  me  as  thou  hast  before. 

From  thy  throne  of  justice  look; 
Give  to  sin  a  strong  rebuke. 
Since  salvation  is  thine  own, 
I  iraciously  let  it  be  shown. 


20  Tin-;     TEMPLE      HARP. 

PSALM  V. 

The  wings  of  morn  shall  bear 
To  thee  my  song  and  prayer. 

My    God   and    King, 
While   I   am   sinful   dust, 
Thou    holy    art   and   just, 
Yet   in   thy   name   I    trust, 

Whose   praise   I   sing. 

The  wicked  shall  not  stand. 
But  feel  thy  mighty  hand 

In  dread  rebuke; 
But   as  for  me,  my  face 
Is   toward   the   holy  place, 
Whence,   from   a   throne   of  grace. 

To  thee  I  look. 

When   snares  the  wicked  lay. 
Be   with   me   in   the   way, 

Lest    I    should    yield. 
Then   shall   my   glad   heart   be 
A  harp  of  praise  to  thee, 
While  thou  dost  compass  me 

As  with  a  shield. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  2  1 

PSALM  LXXV. 

To  thee,  O  God,  our  thanks  we  pay, 
Whose  presence  all  thy  works  declare; 

For  though  the  earth  should  pass  away, 
Thou  still  unmoved  art  reigning  there. 

Thy  power  can  lay  the  people  low; 

ThrU  power  the  solid  earth  sustains. 
Let  mortals,  then,  be  wise  to  know 

How  terrible  is  he  who  reigns. 

Let  pride  be  low  at  thy  behest, 
Who  settest  up  and  puttest  down; 

For  vain  would  south  and  east  and  west 
Exalt  the  man  who  has  thy  frown. 

A  cup  of  wrath  is  in  thy  hand. 
And  nations  drink  it  in  the  hour 

When  they  across  thy  purpose  stand, 

And  think  to  thwart  thy  righteous  pow  er. 

But  we  thy  righteousness  declare, 
And  sing  thy  praises  day  by  day, 

Assured  we  shall  thy  favor  share 
When  wicked  men  are  cast  away. 


22  THE      Tl-MPUv      HARP. 

PSALM      XC. 

Thou,  Lord,  liast  shown  thy  people  grace 
Through  all  the  ages  known; 

Thou  who  before  the  earth  had  place 
Wert  high  upon  thy  throne. 

The  sweep  of  everlasting  years 

That  bear  their  myriads  by, 
To  thee  as  yesterday  appears, 

vSo  swift  the  ages  fly. 

As  on  a  flood,  earth's  millions  pass 

To  an  eternal  sea; 
Or  as  a  sleep,  or  as  the  grass. 

They  all  appear  to  thee. 

(  )ur  secret  sins,  as  in  thy  light, 
Have  darkened  all  our  days; 

And  we  have  felt  thine  anger  smile 
Until  we  mourned  our  ways. 

Oh,  teach  us  so  our  days  to  count 

That  we  may  wiser  be, 
And  dedicate  the  whole  amount 

In  service  unlo  thee. 


Tlllv       TKMl'I.K       HARP.  23 

Return,  O  Lord,  in  pitying  love, 

With  thy  refreshing  grace; 
And  while  we  turn  our  eyes  above, 

(  )h,  let  us  see  thy  face. 


CHRIST   THE   FIRST   FRUITS. 

Christ  is  risen  from  the  dead. 
Therefore  shall  his  people  rise; 

Rise  to  share  with  him,  their  Head, 
Endless  glory  in  the  skies. 

Vain  the  powers  of  earth  oppose: 
Vain  the  hosts  of  death  and  hell; 

They  shall  rise  as  Jesus  rose. 
In  Ins  might  invincible. 

Let  us  then  exultant  sing 

Of  our  Leader's  power  to  save. 

Death  in  him  has  lost  its  sting; 
Clory  gleams  bevond  the  grave. 


24  the     temple     harp. 

PSALM  XCIIL 

The  Lord  is  throned  above  the  spheres, 

In  majesty  arrayed, 
And  there,  through  his  eternal  years, 

His  might  shall  be  displayed. 

The  everlasting  God,  he  reigns, 

And  shall  forever  reign; 
The  world's  foundations  he  sustains, 

Who  only  can  sustain. 

The  flood's,  which  lift  their  awful  forms, 
Display  his  dreadful  power; 

Earth  hears  his  voice  in  thundering  storms. 
And  trembles  in  that  hour. 

Yet  greater  than  the  vastest  sea, 
And  mightier  than  the  storm, 

God  still  o'er  all  his  works  will  be, 
Who  gave  them  first  their  form. 

But  while  his  greatness  fills  with  awe, 
His  truth  and  grace  combine 

To  make  us  love  his  holy  law, 
Whose  precepts  arc  divine. 


the    temple    harp. 

PSALM  C. 

Let  every  land  extol  the  Lord 
And  worship  him  alone, 

The  story  of  his  love  record 
In  songs  before  his  throne. 

Our  God,  he  made  us  and  doth  keep, 
As  with  a  shepherd's  care, 

And  for  his  people,  as  his  sheep, 
A  pasturage  prepare. 

Then  let  us,  with  a  gladsome  voice 
And  thankful  heart  and  mind, 

Together  in  his  courts  rejoice; 
For  lie  is  good  and  kind. 

His  mercy  like  himself  shall  last, 
Nor  ever  know  an  end; 

His  truth,  as  through  the  ages  past. 
To  endless  vears  descend. 


26  the:    tkmplE     harp. 

PSALM  cm. 

Bless  thou  the  Lord,  my  soul,  and  let 
My  grateful  powers  proclaim  his  praise. 

Yea,  bless  the  Lord;  and  ne'er  forget 
What  benefits  enrich  thy  days. 

For  nought  of  good  his  hands  refuse; 

But  he  forgives  thee,  saves,  renews. 

As  in  the  ancient  days  were  shown 

His  wondrous  power  and  gracious  will. 

So  by  his  people  is  he  known 
As  merciful  and  gracious  still. 

So  slow  to  wrath,  so  quick  to  aid, 

Our  ill  deserts  he  has  not  paid. 

His  mercy  is  as  high  as  heaven, 
To  such  as  bow  at  his  behest; 

The  memory  of  their  sins  is  driven 
Far  as  the  east  is  from  the  west. 

A  father's  pity  thus  he  fhows; 

For  he  his  children's  weakness  knows. 

We  are  but  as  the  grass  or  flower 
That  falls  before  the  passing  gust; 

It  flourishes  its  little  hour. 

Then  withers  back  again  to  dust. 

But  with  the  Lord  is  mercy  still, 

For  those  who  love  and  do  his  will. 


TIIK      TEMPLE      HARP.  27 

PSALM  CXXX. 

(  )ut  of  the  depths  to  thee  I  cry; 

Lord,  turn  not  thou  away, 
But  let  me  find  thee  very  nigh 

To  answer  while  I  pray. 

Shouldst  thou  all  secret  thoughts  record, 

And  motions  of  the  heart, 
(  )li,  who  could  bear  his  just  reward. 

Nor  hear  thee  say,  Depart? 

But  thy  forgiveness  is  a  fount 

Of  never-failing  grace, 
To  such  as  on  thy  mercy  count, 

And  humbly  seek  thy  face. 

1  fence  'tis  on  thee  my  soul  would  wait, 
While  wear\',  weak  and  worn, 

\s  those  who  watch,  with  heart  elate. 
To  greet  the  blush  of  morn. 

May  all  thy  people  join  with  me 

To  fix  their  hopes  above, 
That  all  may  thy  salvation  see. 

And  prove  thy  gracious  love. 


28  THE      TEMPI.K      HARP. 

PSALM   CXXXII1. 

Good  and  pleasant  is  the  sight 
When  the  sons  of  God  unite; 
Peace  upon  their  souls  is  shed, 
Like  the  oil  on  Aaron's  head; 
And  the  holy  lives  they  live 
A  perfume  of  blessing  give. 

As  refreshing  is  the  sight 
As  the  dew  on  Hermon's  height; 
Zion  feels  its  gracious  power, 
Given  as  a  heavenly  shower, 
Quickening  all  her  hidden  roots, 
Bringing  forth  divinest  fruits. 

By  the  Spirit's  power  and  light 
Thus  the  sons  of  God  unite; 
And  the  good  in  them  begun 
Shall  in  streams  of  blessing  run, 
From  the  Spirit's  boundless  store, 
Even  life  forevermoiv. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  29 

PSALM  CXLVI. 

Praise  the  Lord,  ye  people,  praise! 
With  my  soul  your  anthems  raise. 
T  will  praise  him  while  I  live, 
And  in  death  new  praises  give. 

Let  not  princes  have  your  trust. 
Who  are  children  of  the  dust; 
Vainly  is  their  favor  earned, 
When  they  have  to  dust  returned. 

Happy  he  whose  hope  relies 
On  the  Lord  of  earth  and  skies; 
By  whose  will  all  things  exist; 
On  whose  bounty  they  subsist. 

While  his  power  to  help  exceeds 
All  his  helpless  creatures'  needs, 
He  beholds  with  pitying  eye, 
Marks  the  tear  and  hears  the  sigh. 

Those  who  trust  him,  he  will  own. 
When  the  wicked  are  o'erthrown; 
For  the  Lord  forever  reigns, 
Praise  him  then  in  joyful  strains. 


TIM-;      1T,M1'I,K      HARP. 


PSALM  CL. 

Here  in  his  courts  let  saints  rejoice, 
And  praise  the  Lord  with  cheerful  voice; 
While 'all  the  heavenly  orbs  declare 
I  lis  greatness  and  his  glory  there. 

Praise  him  for  all  his  mighty  deeds 
Who  knows  so  well  his  creatures'  needs 
And,  knowing*,  every  blessing  grants, 
To  satisfy  their  daily  wants. 

Let  highest  notes  of  praise  abound 
On  every  instrument  of  sound, 
Till  an  orchestral  joy  shall  roll, 
As  poured  from  one  exultant  soul. 

Let  all  that  breath.es  unite  to  raise 
A  grateful  anthem  in  his  praise; 
Sea,  earth  and  heaven,  with  one  accord, 
Sine  halleluiah  to  the  Lord. 


THE     TEMPLE     harp. 

GLAD  TIDINGS   OF   GREAT  JOY. 

Tell  the  tidings  through  the  earth 
Of  the  great  Messiah's  birth. 
Laying  by  his  diadem, 
Christ  is  born  in  Bethlehem. 

He  in  highest  heaven  was  known, 
Seated  by  his  Father's  throne; 
Here,  the  rod  of  Jesse's  stem, 
Christ  is  born  in  Bethlehem. 

He,  the  hope  of  all  the  years, 
Now  upon  the  earth  appears; 
In  time's  crown  the  brightest  gem, 
Christ  is  born  in  Bethlehem. 

Waft  the  tidings  far  and  wide, 
Over  every  ocean  tide. 
Tell  the  nations  that  for  them 
Christ  is  born  in  Bethlehem. 


32  THfi      TKMPLK      HART. 

THE    WONDROUS    BIRTH. 

Oh,  sing  to-day,  ye  sons  of  earth, 

As  unto  you  we  bring 
The  story  of  the  Savior's  birth 

And  crown  him  while  ye  sing. 

With  gladsome  heart  receive  him  now. 

As  Prophet,  Priest  and  King; 
Let  all  your  powers  before  him  bow, 

And  crown  him  while  ye  sing. 

The  choicest  offerings  of  your  love 

Tn  adoration  bring, 
And  with  the  raptured  hosts  above, 

Oh,  crown  him  while  ye  sing. 

Let  all  the  corners  of  the  earth 

With  halleluiahs  ring, 
To  celebrate  the  wondrous  birth, 

And  crown  him  while  ye  sing. 


THE     TEMPLE     harp.  33 

THE  WORD   WAS  GOD. 

In  thee  alone,  incarnate  Word, 
The  mind  of  God  has  been  exprest; 

Yet  not  in  speech  that  ears  have  heard 
Through  thee  our  spirits  are  addrest. 

The  hidden  truths  that  none  could  find 

Shone  clearly  in  thy  life  below, 
Illuminating  every  mind 

That  would  the  mind  eternal  know. 

The   Infinite  and  finite  tints 

I  lave  an  interpreter  in  thee. 
Through  whom  the  Godhead  speaks  to  tis. 

In  whom  his  character  we  see. 

Oh,  give  tis  ears  that  will  to  hear 
Thy  message  of  eternal  love, 

\nd  hearts  that  always  feel  thee  near, 
Directing  them  to  things  above. 


34  THE      TKMPLE      HARP. 

THE    LAMB    OF    GOD. 

O  Lamb,  by  God  provided 

The  world's  great  sin  to  bear. 
To  thee  has  been  confided 

A  task  that  none  may  share. 
All  other  sacrifices 

But  pointed  on  to  thine, 
Which  in  itself  comprises 

All  blessing,  since  divine. 

A  lamb — thyself  unsinning — 

For  sinners  thou  didst  die, 
That  man  from  the  beginning" 

Might  on  thy  death  rely. 
And  forth  through  future  ages, 

Whoever  trusts  in  thee, 
The  Father's  love  engages 

To  set  that  sinner  free. 

This  only  Lamb  is  offered, 

Who  only  can  atone; 
And  life  to  us  is  proffered 

Through  him  who  gave  his  own. 
()  Christ!  our  sins  confessing, 

We  trust  thy  dying  love. 
Xow  speak  in  us  the  blessing 

(  )f  pardon  from  above. 


THfi       TKMPI.K       HARP.  35 

HE  IS  RISEN. 

All  hail  the  morn  when  Jesns  rose 
Triumphant  o'er  the  grave. 

He  who  o'ercame  the  last  of  foes 
Can  all  his  people  save. 

Lift  up  your  heads,  ye  gates  of  light. 
And  let  the  Conqueror  in; 

He  who,  omnipotent  in  might. 
Defied  the  hosts  of  sin. 


Let  saints  and  angels  crown  him  now 
Who  bore  on  earth  our  shame; 

With  fadeless  honors  deck  his  brow, 
And  glorify  his  name. 

Sweep  all  your  golden  harps  above, 
'rune  all  your  tongues  below, 

To  magnify  the  matchless  love 
That  none  can  full v  know. 


36  THE      TEMPLE      HARP. 

SHALL    MAN    BE   JUST   WITH    GODi 
Jol)  ix.  2. 

Lord,  how  shall  man  be  just  with  thee. 
Whose  eye  his  inmost  thoughts  can  see. 
And  mark  the  motions  of  his  will, 
So  prone  to  play  the  part  of  ill? 

Those  thoughts  have  oft  had  taint  of  sin; 
That  will  has  oft  rebellious  been; 
Thy  gracious  gifts  have  been  abused; 
Thy  calls  to  duty  oft  refused. 

And  yet  thy  faultless  law  demands 
A  faultless  service  at  our  hands. 
Then  how  shall  man  be  just  and  live, 
Who  does  not  such  a  service  give? 

A   faultless  Substitute  appears 

And  scatters  all  our  sins  and  fears. 
Through  hiru  eternal  life  we  gain — 
The   sinless   One   for   sinners   slain. 


TIIK       TKMt'I.K       HARP.  37 

rni:   RICH    BECAME   POOR. 
1 1".  Cor.  viii.  9. 

Behold  the  matchless  grace 

By  our  Redeemer  shown, 
That  he  should  leave  his  place 
Beside  the  Father's  throne, 

And  stoop  to  wear  our  sinful  frame. 

To  bear  the  burden  of  our  shame. 

From  heaven  his  pity  saw 

The  race  of  Adam  lie, 

Doomed  by  a  righteous  law. 

Which  sentenced  it  to  die; 
And  then,  unmindful  of  the  loss, 
He  left  the  crown  and  took  the  cross. 

The  richest  thus  became 

The  poorest  for  our  sake. 

That,  through  his  righteous  name. 

We  might  with  him  partake 
The  glory  of  the  great  reward, 
A.s  heirs  together  with  our  Lord. 


38  THE      TEMPLE      HARP. 

THE  WAY,  THE  TRUTH,  THE  LIFE. 
John  xiv.  6. 

Thou  art  the  Way,  through  whom  alone 

A  sinner  may  salvation  find. 
Tn  vain  they  would  approach  the  throne 

Who  leave  thy  cleansing  blood  behind; 
But  all  who  to  the  Father  flee 
Are  welcome  when  they  go  through  thee. 

Thou  art  the  Truth,  whose  mission  shows 
Our  fallen,  lost,  and  helpless  state. 

Thy  sufferings,  too,  the  fact  disclose, 
That  God  is  holy,  just,  and  great. 

As  in  a  mirror,  thus  we  see 

The  Father  and  ourselves  in  thee. 

Thou  art  the  Life,  whose  grace  imparts 
A  power  that  none  besides  can  give; 

The  power  to  quicken  sin-dead  hearts, 
And  make  them  in  thine  image  live. 

Then  give  thy  life  to  us,  that  we 

May  be  the  sons  of  God  in  thee. 


THE      TKMPUv       JTARP.  39 

THE  TRUE  ROCK. 
Matthew  xvi.  16. 

Oh,  rock  of  truth,  by  man  contest; 

"Thou  art  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  God." 
Upon  this  rock  the  storms  we  breast, 

As  on  our  upward  way  we  plod; 
On  this  in  buoyant  life  rely; 
Here  find  support  when  called  to  die 

In  vain  the  forms  that  men  devise; 

Their  sacerdotal  pomp  and  state; 
The  boast  that  they  are  godly-wise, 

And  guardians  of  the  glory-gate. 
They  use  the  senses  as  a  lure, 
And  make  the  spirit's  bondage  sure. 

Our  hope  of  heaven  must  be  from  heaven; 

For  only  God  to  God  can  lead. 
By  him  our  sins  must  be  forgiven, 

And  he  supply  our  daily  need. 
While  nought  of  earth  can  aught  avail. 
The  Christ  of  God  can  never  fail. 


40  TITF,      TEMPLE       HARP. 

CHRIST  WITH  US. 
Matt,  xxviii.  20. 

Ascended  Lord,  we  joy  to  know 
That,  as  the  ages  come  and  go, 

Thou  still  art  with  thine  own. 
Enthroned  above  the  earth's  affairs, 
Thy  answers  to  thy  people's  prayers 

Make  here  thy  presence  known. 


Along  the  centuries  we  can  trace 
The  glorious  victories  of  thy  grace, 

When  right  has  wrong  restrained. 
We  see  thy  hand  in  every  stroke 
That's  freed  men  from  oppression's  yoke 

Till  truth  and  freedom  reigned. 


And  still  we  see  thee  in  the  fight, 

And  feel  thee  make  our  weakness  might, 

While  still  thy  foes  assail. 
Oh!  let  the  ages  yet  to  be 
More  wondrously  thy  presence  see, 

More   gloriously   prevail. 


Tin;     t  km  I'M-;     harp.  41 

THE  AI/f(  >GETHER  U  >VELY. 

Cant.  ii.   1. 

New    lovely  the  Savior  appear-. 

Mow  fragrant  the  sense  of  his  love, 
When,  looking*  to  him  through  our  tears, 

llis  presence  and  favor  we  prove. 
Where  lie  is  a  Sharon  we  find. 

And  he  is  its  beautiful  rose. 
And  over  the  spirit  and  mind 

An  odor  of  pleasure  he  throws. 

A  lily  in  him  we  can  see, 

That  grew  in  this  valley  below, 
Transplanted  from  heaven,  that  we 

Might  somewhat  of  paradise  know. 
I  tow  humble  the  scene  of  his  birth, 

And  lowly  his  earthly  career! 
And  purity  more  than  of  earth 

Was  seen  in  his  character  here. 

I  [is  fav<  >r  is  fair  as  a  rose, 

A  solace  and  comfort  to  saints; 
Tt  breathes  a  perfume  on  their  woes, 

Composing  their  saddest  complaints. 
.V  lily  that  knoweth  no  stain, 

A  pattern  he  is  for  the  pure, 
\nd  all  who  his  graces  attain 

A  share  in  his  glory  secure. 


42  THE      TKMPIJv      HARP. 

THE     CONQUERING     KINGDOM. 
Psa.  ii.  8. 

Lord,  we  believe  the  promise  true, 
That  thou  wilt  yet  the  world  subdue, 
And  all  the  heathen  nations  bring 
To  own  the  Savior  as  their  king. 

Thy  truth  is  conquering  day  by  day. 
And  yet  shall  have  a  boundless  sway, 
And  every  error  vanish  hence 
Before  that  truth's  omnipotence. 

Its  course  is  ever  on,  though  slow, 
The  ages  brightening  as  they  go; 
And  thou  shalt  yet  all  glory  gain: 
For  Christ  is  King,  and  he  must  reign. 


thk     TEMPLE     harp.  43 

THY    KINGDOM   COME. 

Matt.  vi.  10. 

Lord,  let  thy  kingdom  come,  as  thou 
Hast  taught  our  lips  to  pray. 

Till  at  thy  feet  the  nations  bow 
And  own  thy  sovereign  sway. 

Thus  far  the  footsteps  of  thy  power 
Toward  such  a  triumph  bend. 

Oh,  hasten  thou  the  happy  hour 
That  brings  the  glorious  end! 

Let  error  vanish  like  the  night 
When  glinting  dawn  appears; 

Thy  truth,  as  o'er  the  mountain  height, 
Illuminate    the    years. 

Bid  every  age,  with  brighter  glow, 
Foregleam  the  reign  of  love, 

When  men  shall  do  thy  will  below 
As  angels  do  above. 


44  THE       TKML'I.K       HARP. 

THE  GOSPEL  TRIUMPHANT. 

Thou  with  whom  are  all  the  ages, 

We  perceive  a  rounded  plan, 
Shadowed  forth  on  history's  pages, 

For  the  lifting  up  of  man. 
Centuries  of  preparation 

For  the  coming  of  thy  Son 
Speak  a  far-off  consummation, 

When  redemption's  work  is  done. 

Continents  and  isles  are  waking, 

Startled  into  life  and  power; 
Error's  chains  thy  truth  is  breaking, 

Bringing  freedom's  blessed  hour; 
And  a  nearing  of  the  nations 

Gives  a  sense  of  brotherhood, 
Which  shall  make  their  emulations 

Efforts  for  a  common  good. 

These  we  view  as  index  fingers, 

Pointing  toward  the  things  to  be ; 
And,  howe'er  we  think  he  lingers, 

A  Tan  is  drawing  nearer  thee. 
May  these  signs  our  hearts  embolden 

For  the  battle  but  begun. 
Knowing  that  millenniums  golden 

Wait  the  triumph  of  thy  Son. 


Tin-;     TKMi'i.K      harp.  45 

THE    GREATER    MIRACLES. 

(  )  Son  of  God,  yet  man  with  men  ! 

Nature  obeyed  thy  mighty  nod. 
And  owned  thee  God  of  nature  when 

Thon  didst  the  deeds  of  nature's  God. 

Mankind  beheld  those  wondrous  deeds 
Forth  springing  from  a  fount  of  love: 

For  thou  dids!  bring  to  human  needs 
A  Father's  blessing  from  above. 

And  now,  though  man  with  men  no  more. 
To  do  the  deeds  the  eye  may  scan, 

Thou  still  art  gracious  as  before, 
Performing  deeds  of  good  for  man. 

Yd  not  the  outward  deed  is  thine, 

To  bless  men  in  a  sensuous  way. 
But  with  an  inward  power  divine 

Thy  miracles  are  wrought  to-day. 

The  Spirit  takes  thy  body's  place, 
Performing  wondrous  works  again; 

The    greater    miracles    oi    grace. 

Which  bring  to  life  the  souls  of  men. 


46  THE      TEMPLE      HARP. 

THE     HOLY     SPIRIT'S     WORK. 
Zech.  iv.  6. 

Man  can  not  cleanse  the  sinful  soul. 
Nor  bend  the  will  to  his  control, 

By  aught  that  he  can  do ; 
But  still  the  heart  will  be  defiled, 
The  will  rebellious,  wayward,  wild. 

The   evil    to   pursue. 

Xo.  not  by  might  of  human  hosts, 
Nor  by  the  power  that  wisdom  boasts, 

Are  souls  from  evil  won; 
But  by  the  Spirit's  power  within, 
Which  overcomes  the  love  of  sin. 

The  saving  work  is  done. 

Then  come,  O  Spirit,  and  impart 
The  saving  power  to  every  heart, 
And   sanctify   the    will; 

That  Christ  within  our  hearts  may  reign, 
\s   Monarch  o'er  his  own  domain, 
I  lis   purpose    to   fulfill. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  47 


GOD   FOUND   IX   HIS  WORD. 

Lord,  when  thy  vastest  works  we  view, 

Then  turn  the  least  to  note — 
Whether  above  us  in  the  blue 

Or  in  a  living  mote — 
We  can  not  tell  which  most  displays 

The  greatness  of  thy  mind; 
Vet  in  thy  works,  where'er  we  gaze, 

Thyself  we  can  not  find. 

Tis  in  thy  written  Word  alone 

Thy  secrets  are  revealed; 
There  ail  tin    character  is  shown, 

Through  holy  men   revealed. 
That  Word  we  gladly  make  our  choice, 

Consulting   it   with    care; 
We  hear  its  precepts  as  thy  voice, 

For  thou,  O  God,  art  there. 


}s  THE     TEMPLE     harp. 


THE    HOLY    BOOK. 

Book  of  books,  whose  blessed  pages 

Mirror  forth  the  mind  of  Gocl!  • 
In  thy  hght  the  ancient  sages 

From  the  glooms  of  error  trod; 
And  the  millions  of  the  ages 

Up  to  higher  levels  plod, 
In  the  pathway  of  thy  pages, 

Leading  upward   unto   God. 

Fount  of  truth,  forever  flowing 

For  the  thirst)'  souls  of  men, 
Life  on  those  who  drink  bestowing. 

Bring,  oh,  bring  the  era  when, 
Wider  still  and  farther  going, 

Eden   shall    return   again. 
As   the   music   of   thy    flowing 

'Pells  of  peace,   good   will   to   men. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  49 

LOVE   OF  THE  WORD. 

O   Lord,  I  love  thy  law; 

'Tis  daily  my  delight; 

For  wisdom  thence  I  draw, 

To  guide  my  feet  aright. 
Without  it  I  must  go  astray, 
Nor  even  know  the  narrow  way. 

For  what  are  human  rules, 
In  human  weakness  made? 
The  guesses  of  the  schools, 
Where  learning  is  displayed? 
They  all  are  foolishness  to  thee, 
And  an  uncertain  maze  to  me. 

But  thou,  who  madest  heaven 
And  earth,  and  all  that  is, 
A  faultless  law  hast  given; 
.And  he  who  follows  this 
Shall  never  find  his  feet  astray, 
With  such  a  lamp  to  light  his  way. 


5°  the:    temple     harp. 

GOD'S     WORD     UNCHANGEABLE. 

The  works,  and  ways,  and  thoughts  of  man 
Are  changeful  as  the  billowy  sea; 

But  Truth  has  never  changed,  nor  can, 
But    has    eternal    fixity. 

Like  God,  the  Truth  was  never  young; 

Like  him,  it  never  can  be  old. 
It  was  ere  earth  in  ether  swung, 

And  will  be  when  her  knell  is  tolled. 

Hence  why  the  Word  of  God  abides, 
Unchanged  'mid  every  flux  of  time; 

Since  in  that  Word  the  truth  resides, 

As  'twere  in  youth's  perpetual  prime. 

Then  vainly  men  their  progress  boast, 

And  test  the  Word  by  human  sense; 

Their  progress  indicates,  at  most, 
The  changes  in   their  ignorance. 

Let  all  the  storms  of  error  rage: 

Let  others  drift  on  shoreless  seas; 

That   word   I   make   my   anchorage, 
And  in  the  harbor  ride  at  ease. 


THE     TEMPLE      harp.  5 

THE    TRUTH    ABIDES. 

The  truth  that  served  the  sires  of  old 
The  children  serves  as  well. 

To  every  age  it  may  be  told, 
And  still  be  sweet  to  tell. 

Its  orb-like  splendor  filled  the  past, 
And  shall  the  future  fill; 

For  in  the  mind  of  God  'twas  cast, 
And  finished  by  his  will. 

Like  hint,  it  ever  shall  endure. 
When  time  itself  expires; 

Yea,  Lord,  thy  Word  shall  stand  secure 
'Mid  nature's  funeral  fires. 

That  Word,  then,  while  the  ages  roll, 

Shall  be  our  guiding  light; 
Give  hope  and  gladness  to  the  soul, 
To  cheer  earth's  darkest  night. 


52  THE      TEMPLE      HARP. 


THE    LORD'S    MEMORIAL    DAY. 

All  hail!  thou  gladsome  day  of  days, 

Which  saw  the  great  Redeemer  rise. 
A  glorious  monument  of  grace, 

Thou   tellest  us   of  paradise. 
We  hallow  thee  for  his  dear  sake 

Who  brought  salvation  from  above, 
And   thy   returning  visits  make 

A  fond  memorial  of  his  love. 

In   memory   of  creation,   thus 

We  give  to  rest  one  day  in  seven; 
While  yet  to  him  who  rose  for  us 

The  first  fruits  of  the  week  is  given. 
And  so,  replete  with  good  to  man, 

Our  Sabbaths  tell  of  wonders  done, 
Creation's  and  redemption's  plan, 

Wrought  by  the  Father  and  the  Son. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  53 

THE    HOLY    DAY. 

Hail,  holy  day!  whose  hallowed  hours 
Were  given  to  rest  my  wearied  powers, 
To  fan  the  altar-fires  of  love, 
And  bear  my  thoughts  to  things  above. 

To-day  I  turn  from  earth's  affairs, 
And  lay  aside  its  load  of  cares, 
To  sit  as  an  invited  guest, 
Where  Jesus  bids  me  sweetly  rest. 

My  Savior,  come  and  meet  with  me, 
And  let  my  spirit  feast  with  thee, 
And  in  my  heart  a  peace  distill, 
As  dew  of  Hermon's  holy  hill. 

So  shall  my  earthly  Sabbaths  prove 
A  foretaste  of  the  rest  above, 
Until  no  more  on  earth  I  roam, 
But  rest  and  feast  with  thee  at  home. 


54  TH£      TEMPLE       HARP. 

JOY    IN    WORSHIP. 

Again  the  day  of  God  is  here, 

On  which  we  leave  our  toil  and  care, 
And  in  our  Father's  house  appear, 
To  offer  him  our  praise  and  prayer. 
How  bright  the  holy  hours  it  brings, 
Which  give  a  glimpse  of  heavenly  things. 

Begone,  ye  baubles  that  would  turn 

Our  thoughts  away  from  him  we  love! 
His  presence  makes  our  spirits  burn 
With  longings  for  our  home  above; 
For  these   communings  in   the  breast 
Are  pledge  of  our  eternal  rest. 

Oh!  better  one  such  hour  as  this 

Than  all  the  pleasures  earth  can  give. 
'Tis  here  we  prove  what  pleasure  is; 
'Tis  here  we  learn  the  way  to  live. 
Lord,  give  new    blessings  here  to-day, 
As  in  thy  house  we  praise  and  pray. 


THE      TEMPLE       HARP.  55 

JX    THE    SANCTUARY. 
Gen.  xxviii.  17;  Ex.  iii.  5. 

How  dreadful  is  this  place. 

With   God  alone, 
When  all  his  wondrous  grace 

He  maketh  known, 
As  humbly  here  we  bend, 
And  prayers  and  praises  blend, 
Which  as  perfume  ascend 

Before  the  throne. 

O  earth!  stand  thou  aside, 

And    disappear 
Thy  care,  and  pomp,  and  pride, 

Since  God  is  here. 
Our  souls — put  off  your  shoes, 
And  with  mute  fervor  muse, 
Lest  we  his  unction  lose 

Who  draws  so  near. 

The  gate  of  heaven  is  this, 

Which  foretastes  brings 

Of  the  unmingled  bliss 

Where  Gabriel  sings. 

Lo,  here,  within  the  gate, 

Our  spirits  grow  elate, 

As  though  we  scare  need  wait 
The  gift  of  wings. 


56  THE      TEMPLE       HARP. 

GETHSEMANE. 

The  God-man  is  groaning 

In   anguish   alone, 
Unthought  of  by  millions, 

Forgot  by  his  own. 
He  prays  'mid   the  silence 

And  darkness  around, 
And  sweats  till  as  blood-drops 

It  falls  to  the  ground. 

Mere  mortal  has  never 

Seen  sorrow  like  his. 
Ask,   What  is  it   causes 

Such  anguish  as  this? 
Oh,  blush,  guilty  spirit, 

And  answer  with  tears, 
Thy  sins  are  his  burden, 

The  sins  of  thy  years. 

Oh,  surely  such  pity 

As  his  can  not  fail; 
And,  surely,  such  anguish 

For  thee  must  prevail. 
Then  cling  to  him,  trusting 

For  pardon  and  peace, 
Who  suffered  to  save  thee, 

From  sin  will  release. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  57 

THE    COSTLY     SACRIFICE. 

Amazing  sight!     On  Calvary's  tree 

A  sinless  victim  dies. 
Look  up,  my  wondering  soul,  and  see 

The  costly  sacrifice. 

Heaven's  richest  gift,  the  Son  of  God, 

Is  there  an  offering  made; 
And,  lo!  as  Justice  plies  the  rod, 

On  him  thy  stripes  are  laid. 

Dear  Savior!  hast  thou  done  so  much 

To  rescue  me  from  hell? 
And  shall  not  all  my  life  be  such 

As  proves  I  love  thee  well? 

O  dearest  Lord!  reproach  and  pain 

Shall  only  welcome  be; 
For  I  will  count  it  all  as  gain 

To  bear  so  much  for  thee. 


5^  THE      TEMPLE       HARP. 

AN  ADVOCATE  WITH' THE  FATHER. 
i.  John  ii.  ] . 

0  thou,  my  Advocate  above, 

Whose  wounds  provide  a  cleansing  flood, 

1  cast  myself  upon  thy  love, 

And  trust  the  merits  of  thy  blood. 
I  would  present  no  other  plea 
Thau  this,  that  thou  hast  died  for  me. 

Thy  wounds  are  eloquent  in  prayers, 
For  all  who  seek  thee  in  distress. 

The  Father  on  his  oath  declares 
He  waits  to  answer  and  to  bless. 

Then  reconciled  I  now  may  be; 

Since  thou  in  heaven  dost  plead  for  me. 

Thou  canst  not  plead  my  cause  in  vain; 

I  can  not  trust  thee  and  be  lost; 
For  God  will  not  my  suit  disdain, 

With  pardon  bought  at  such  a  cost. 
No,  now  I  feel  my  soul  is  free. 
Since  Jesus  died  and  lives  for  me. 


THE      TEMPLE       HARP.  59 

SELF-DENIAL. 

All  selfishness  is  sin. 
Then  self  must  be  denied; 
For  self  can  never  reign  within, 
And  Jesus  there  abide. 

Content  from  him  alone 
Our  rules  of  life  to  draw, 
Our  heart  must  be  his  humble  throne, 
His  will  our  only  law. 

Each  temper,  passion,  lust, 
Our  reason  and  our  will. 
Must  own  his  government  as  just, 
And  its  behests  fulfill. 

My  Lord,  I  all  resign. 
Thy  follower  to  be, 
Content  to  know  that  thou  art  mine, 
And  I  am  owned  of  thee. 


6o  THE      TEMPLE      HARP. 


CONSECRATION. 


• 


I  bring  my  heart  to  thee, 
My  heart  so  full  of  sin; 

Thy  grace  alone  can  be 
A  cleansing  power  within. 

My  hope  is  all  in  thee; 

Have  pity,  Lord,  on  me. 

I   bring  my  all  to  thee. 

Alas!  the  gift  is  small; 
But  more  there  can  not  be 

Than  just  my  little  all. 
Oh,  may  the  gift  find  thee, 
Whose  love  gave  all  for  me. 

I  cling,  O  Christ,  to  thee; 

My  only  hope  art  thou. 
Oh,  let  thy  death  for  me 

Be  my  salvation  now. 
Accept  my  gift  to  thee, 
And  give  thyself  to  me. 


THK      TEMPLE       HARP.  6l 

FAITH. 

Faith  is  the  eye  that  looks  above, 

When  all  is  dark  below, 
And  finds  in  God's  unfailing  love 

A  solace  for  our  woe. 

When,  in  the  soul's  triumphant  hour, 

We  feel  salvation  nigh. 
Faith  is  the  power  that  brings  the  power 

Of  blessing   from   on   high. 

Faith  is  the  head  of  weakness  laid 

On  an  Almighty  breast, 
Where  hell  can   never  make  afraid, 

Nor  earth   disturb  our  rest. 

When  on  the  verge  of  death  we  stand, 
And   life's  last   link  is  riven. 

Faith  is  the  hand  that  grasps  the  hand 
Which  lifts  us  up  to  heaven. 


THK      TEMPLE      HARP. 

DESIRE    FOR    FAITH. 

1  want  the  faith  that  will  not  fear 
To  go  where  God  shall  guide; 

That  has  for  him  an  ear  to  hear, 
While  walking  by  his  side. 

I  want  the  faith  whose  fingers  brace 

His  will  in  each  event; 
That  in  the  mysteries  of  his  grace 

Interprets  the  intent. 

I  want  the  faith  that  dares  to  trust 

Whene'er  it  can  not  see; 
That  turns  to  him  and  says  he  must 

Forever  faithful  be. 

Oh,  may  this  faith  be  firm  in  me, 

So  long  as  I  have  breath, 
Through  all  my  life  God's  hand  to  see,. 

And  grasp  that  hand  in  death. 


THJv      TKMi'LK       HARP.  63 

SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS  VAIN. 

Shall  I,  whose  sins  are  mountain  high, 

Whose  heart  is  vile  within, 
Attempt  by  righteousness  to  buy 

Salvation  from  my  sin? 

Can  I  to  holiness  attain, 

While  sin  is  what  I  love, 
And  cleanse  my  heart  from  inward  stain 

Till  fit  for  heaven  above? 

Nay,  Lord,  I  have  no  righteousness 

On  which  to  build  a  hope, 
No  power  of  native  holiness 

With  such  a  heart  to  cope. 

I  need  atonement  for  my  sin; 

But  I  can  not  atone. 
I  need  almighty  power  within. 

Or  useless  is  my  own. 

My  only  refuge,  Lord,  art  thou. 

To  save  me  from  despair; 
Low  at  the  cross  my  soul  shall  bow 

And  find  salvation  there. 


64  THE      TEMPLE      HARP. 

SAVED    BY    GRACE. 

I  thank  thee,  Father,  for  the  grace 
That  turned  my  steps  to  thee; 

For  I  had  never  sought  thy  face 
If  thou  hadst  not  sought  me. 

The  condescension  of  thy  love 

My  wayward  feet  pursued; 
Turned  first  my  thoughts  to  things  above, 

And  then  my  will  subdued. 

Thy  grace  has  kept  me  in  the  way 

That  I  so  long  have  trod; 
And  still  it  draws  me,  day  by  day, 

More  close  to  thee,  my  God. 

Now,  after  all  thy  mercies  past, 

I  can  but  trust  in  thee, 
To  bring  me  safely  home  al  last. 

Thy  presence  there  to  see. 


the    temple    harp.  65 

ASSURANCE. 

I  know  I  am  saved  by  the  blood  of  the  Lamb, 
For  the  promise  to  sinners  is  given, 

That  lie  who  believes  and  the  Savior  receives 
Doth  enter  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

1  know  I  am  saved  by  the  blood  of  the  Lamb, 
For  the  Spirit  now  whispers  within, 

The  witness  to  give  that  in  Jesus  I  live, 
Set  free  from  the  bondage  of  sin. 

I  know  I  am  saved  by  the  blood  of  the  Lamb, 

>r  evil  no  longer  T  love; 
My  heart  is  on  fire  with  a  holy  desire 
For  good  that  descends  from  above. 

T  know  I  am  saved  by  the  blood  of  the  Lamb, 
For  the  love  of  the  Savior  is  mine. 

T  am  saved  by  his  grace,  and  T  feel  the  embrace 
Of  a  power  that  is  surely  divine. 


66  THE      TEMPLE      HARP. 

MY    TRUST. 
1 1.  Tim.  i.  12. 

I  know  him  whom  I  have  believed, 

And  still  I  dare  believe 
That  since  he  has  my  wants  relieved. 

He  ever  will  relieve. 

I  know  not  what  before  me  lies; 

Nor  do  I  care  to  know. 
Enough  that  he  is  good  and  wise 

Who  guides  me  where  I  go. 

For  while  enfolded  in  his  care 
I  fear  no  threatening  ill ; 

His  goodness  my  lot  prepare, 
His  wisdom  lead  me  still. 

That  goodness  will  my  steps  attend 
Through  all  life's  devious  way; 

That  wisdom  bring  me,  in  the  end. 
To  everlasting  dav. 


THE      TKMPLK      HARP. 

GRACE   FOR   GRACE. 
John  i.  1 6. 

The  grace  was  great  that  first  I  knew, 
By  which  my  heart  the  Savior  drew 

With  cords  of  love  divine. 
My  former  fears  it  sweetly  stilled, 
And  with  new  hopes  my  spirit  filled, 

When  heavenly  peace  was  mine. 

But  'mid  the  scenes  of  stormy  strife, 
And  labors  of  my  later  life, 

A  greater  grace  is  given; 
A  grace  to  stand  the  stress  and  strain 
Of  trial,  trouble,  toil  and  pain, 

Where  other  hearts  are  riven. 

And  of  his  fullness  all  receive 
Who  truly  on  the  Lord  believe, 

In  daily  growing  grace. 
So  shall  it  be  till  life  is  past. 
And  glory  crowns  ns  all  at  last, 

As  we  behold  his  face. 


68  THE      TEMPLE      HARP. 

SEEKING  HELP. 

When  my  soul  is  weak  and  weary, 
Take  me,  Father,  by  the  hand. 

When  my  path  seems  dark  and  dreary, 
Lead  me  toward  the  better  land; 

There  to  praise  thee 
With  the  glad  immortal  band. 

In  the  desert  be  my  Fountain; 

In  the  darkness  be  my  Light; 
When  in  danger  be  my  Mountain; 

When  in  weakness  be  my  Might; 
In  all  trouble 

Be  my  Solace  and  Delight. 

When  T  pass  the  shadowed  valley. 

Let  thy  presence  light  the  place; 
In  a  last  victorious  rally 

Give  to  me  triumphant  grace. 
Till  in  glory 

1  shall  sec  thee  face  to  face. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  69 

FREE  IN  CHRIST. 

No  more  a  slave  in  Satan's  power, 
By  lusts  and  passions  bound, 

I  am  a  freeman  since  the  hour 
When  I  the  Savior  found. 

The  blood  for  me  on  Calvary  spilt, 

Atoning  for  my  sin, 
Has  freed  me  from  the  sense  of  guilt 

That  burdened  me  within. 

I  saw  in  him  my  substitute, 

Whose  merits  are  divine, 
And  he  those  merits  did  impute, 

As  though  they  all  were  mine. 

Then  came  the  Spirit's  gracious  power, 

And  power  to  me  he  gave; 
So,  ever  since  that  blessed  hour, 

I  am  no  more  a  slave. 


70  THE      TEMPLE      HARP. 

GLORYING  IN   CHRIST. 
Gal.  vi.  14. 

God  forbid  that  I  should  glory, 
Save  in  Jesus  crucified. 
*   'Tis  my  joy  to  tell  the  story 

That  for  me  he  lived  and  died. 

Human  love  can  find  no  plummet 
That  can  sound  the  depth  of  his; 

Human  thought  attain  no  summit 
Whence  to  see  how  vast  it  is. 

Oh,  the  wondrous  joy  of  loving 

One  who  has  such  love  for  me! 
(  )h,  the  privilege  of  proving 
That  my  heart  can  thankful  he! 

Ever  shall  it  be  my  glory 

To  extol  the  crucified; 
Ever  would  I  tell  the  story 

That  for  me  he  lived  and  died. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  71 

THE   SINNER'S   FRIEND. 

Long  my  laboring  soul  had  toiled 
On  a  darksome  sea  of  doubt; 

Waves  of  anguish,  bursting  wild, 
Tost  my  helpless  bark  about. 

Then  I  saw  a  wondrous  form. 

As  I  gazed  with  wistful  eye; 
Jesus  spake  amid  the  storm: 

"Fear  not,  sinner;  it  is  I." 

Then  he  bade  the  tempest  cease, 

Lulled  the  billows  into  rest; 
When  T  felt  a  holy  peace 

Sweetly  stealing  through  my  breast. 

Now,  my  Savior,  stay  with  me 

Till  I  gain  the  farther  shore; 
For  if  thou  my  guide  shalt  be, 
I  am  safe  forevermore. 


J2  THK      TEMPLE      HARP. 

THE   HEAVENLY   BREAD. 
John  vi.  48. 

Blessed  Jesus,  heavenly  Bread, 

Let  me  on  thyself  be  fed, 

That  thy  life  may  quicken  mine, 
Making  so  my  life  divine. 

Be  to  me  the  living  Bread, 

As  my  soul  on  thee  is  fed. 

Many  foes  my  ruin  seek, 
And  I  feel  that  I  am  weak; 

Many  dangers  daily  frown; 

Many  burdens  bear  me  down. 
Be  to  me  the  Bread  I  seek, 
Then  I  shall  no  more  be  weak. 

Weary  with  my  heart  of  sin. 
Hungry  for  thy  peace  within, 
Now  my  fainting  soul  restore, 
Let  me  never  hunger  more. 
Be  thou,  through  this  world  of  sin, 
Life,  and  strength,  and  peace  within. 


THK      TEMPLE     HARP.  73 

BURIED   WITH    CHRIST. 
Rom.  vi.  4,  5. 

0  thou,  my  Savior,  crucified 
Upon  the  cross  for  me, 

1  would  my  passions,  lusts  and  pride 

Were  crucified  for  thee. 

Now  let  the  true  baptismal  shower 

On  me  be  richly  shed, 
And  may  it  prove  its  cleansing  power, 

Till  sin  and  self  be  dead. 

And  let  my  life  be  lost  in  thine, 

With  all  I  have  or  crave, 
Until  my  soul,  by  power  divine, 

Be  buried  in  thy  grave. 

Then  let  me  resurrected  be 

From  all  there  is  below, 
And  rise  triumphantly  in  thee, 

A  purer  life  to  know. 


74  THE      TEMPLE      HARP. 

BEARING  THE   CROSS. 

0  Lord,  the  burdens  of  this  life 
Are  heavy  to  be  borne; 

My  soul  grows  weary  of  the  strife, 
It  feels  so  weak  and  worn. 

And  yet  no  lighter  load  I  ask 

Of  trial  and  of  care; 
No  easier  cross  my  faith  to  task, 

But  grace  my  cross  to  bear. 

1  ask  thine  arm  to  be  my  stay, 

In  all  I  have  to  do; 
Thy  providence  to  point  my  way; 
Thy  strength  to  bring-  me  through. 

So  shall  I  find  it  joy  to  share 

A  cross  of  toil  for  thee. 
As  thou  upon  this  earth  didst  bear 

A  heavier  cross  for  me. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  75 

HELP  RECEIVED. 

I  took  my  burden  to  the  Lord, 

And  laid  it  at  his  feet; 
When  faith  soon  found  a  full  reward, 

In  rest  serene  and  sweet. 

For  when  I  laid  the  burden  down 

I  calmly  left  it  there. 
And  found  my  cross  become  a  crown 

Which  was  a  joy  to  wear. 

So  there,  in  every  weary  hour, 

Would  I  my  burden  lay, 
To  find  that  an  Almighty  power 

Takes  all  the  load  away. 

PLEASANT  WAYS. 

In  pleasant  ways  the  Lord  has  led 

My  footsteps  year  by  year. 
Not  that  mine  eye  no  tear  has  shed, 

My  heart  been  free  from  fear. 


76  THE      TEMPLE      HARP. 

But  every  tear  his  love  has  dried, 
His  word  my  fears  dispelled; 

And  when  by  fierce  temptations  tried, 
His  hand  my  hand  has  held. 

A  peace  of  which  the  world  knows  not 
Has  welled  within  my  breast. 

Not  that  no  grief  has  shared  my  lot, 
No  storm  disturbed  my  rest. 

But  he  has  granted  me  much  grace, 
And  been  so  sweetly  nigh, 

That  I  have  hid  in  his  embrace 
Until  the  storm  went  by. 

Then,  bless  the  Lord,  my  soul,  to-day, 
For  all  his  mercies  past, 

And  make  him  still  thy  staff  and  stay, 
To  lead  thee  home  at  last. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  77 

SELF  LOST  IN   GOD. 

O  Lord,  my  life,  my  light,  my  love, 
My  help  below,  my  hope  above, 
Now  let  thy  life  be  life  in  me, 
That  so  thy  life  my  life  may  be. 

So  like  the  sun,  the  source  of  light, 
Thy  beams  dispel  the  darkest  night; 
Then  drive  the  darkness  far  from  me, 
Nor  leave  a  cloud  'twixt  me  and  thee. 

Inflame  my  love  and  let  it  burn. 
That  all  my  thoughts  to  thee  may  turn. 
And  all  my  love  of  evil  be 
Consumed  in  constant  love  of  thee. 

Tims,  Lord,  my  life,  my  light,  my  love. 
Prepare  me  for  a  place  above, 

Where  sin,  nor  sense,  nor  self  shall  be, 
But  all  be  lost  in  love  of  thee. 


78  THE      TEMPLE      HARP. 

GOD   MY  STRENGTH. 

It  matters  not,  0  Lord,  to  me 
How  great  my  foes  on  earth  may  be; 
While  thou  art  mine  I  shall  prevail, 
Strong  in  a  strength  that  can  not  fail. 

Disease  may  prostrate  all  my  powers, 
Or  fill  my  life  with  languid  hours; 
But  since  it  leaves  thee  still  the  same, 
I  shall  not  suffer  loss  or  shame. 

Or  let  the  earth  to  chaos  turn. 
Ten  thousand  worlds  to  ashes  burn; 
While  still  on  thee  my  hope  is  stayed, 
My  soul  looks  upward  undismayed. 

Then  let  me  never  look  within. 
To  trust  my  nature,  weak  with  sin; 
But  let  me  trust  thy  power  alone. 
Which  makes  almightiness  my  own. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  79 

AFFLICTIONS. 

Lord,  I  thank  thee  for  afflictions 
That  have  brought  mine  eyes  to  see 

Its  unnumbered  derelictions, 

When  my  heart  was  false  to  thee. 

'Twas  a  Father 
Laid  his  hand  in  love  on  me. 

Not  in  anger,  not  in  blindness, 
Didst  thou  measure  out  my  pain, 

But  in  wisest  loving  kindness, 
For  my  everlasting  gain. 

Now  I  praise  thee 
For  the  blessings  that  remain. 

May  the  secrets  inly  told  me, 

In  the  depth  of  my  distress. 
Be  so  many  bands  to  hold  me 

In  eternal  faithfulness; 
Then  thy  goodness 

I  forevermore  will  bless. 


80  THE      TEMPLE      HARP. 

THE   CROSS   TWICE   BORNE. 

I  took  the  cross  and  thought  I  must 
Do  something  for  reward; 

My  soul  had  but  a  feeble  trust, 
And  oft  forgot  the  Lord. 

The  cross  grew  heavy,  and  the  road 

Was  very  hard  to  tread. 
My  soul  was  weary  of  its  load; 

My  feet  with  traveling  bled. 

I  bore  the  cross,  because  for  me 
My  Savior  bore  the  same; 

No  more  a  cross  it  seemed  to  be, 
But  as  a  crown  became. 

I  felt  my  strength  was  now  divine; 

M  y  I  A  >rd  and  I  were  one: 
The  blessings  of  the  cross  were  mine: 

The  burden — it  was  gone. 


rin:       TKMIM.K       HARP.  >s  1 

U  WING   THE   SAVIOR. 

My  Savior,  thou  art  dear  to  me. 

The  fairest  of  the  fair; 
Not  heaven  itself  a  heaven  would  be, 

If  thou  shoulclst  not  be  there. 

In  vain  the  things  of  time  and  sense 

Would  try  to  rival  thee; 
Thy  love,  in  its  omnipotence, 

Forever  keepeth  me. 

Though  flesh  is  weak  and  prone  to  err. 

In  thee  is  strength  indeed; 
And  thou  art  such  a  comforter. 

No  better  do  I  need. 

Then  I  will  love  and  serve  thee  still; 

And  if  I  aught  deplore, 
'Twill  be  that  I  have  served  so  ill 

And  have  not  loved  thee  more. 


82  Tlli;       TKMPT.K       HARP. 

TRUST  IN   CHRIST. 

In  faith  I  now  can  take  my  stand 
Upon  the  precious  promises. 

And  smile  when  woes  on  every  hand 
In  threatening:  thunderclouds  arise. 


\\  hat  matter  though  my  foes  are  strong 
Since  Christ  is  stronger  than  them  ail 

Should  multitudes  around  me  throng, 
At  his  rebuke  the  last  must  fall. 


Let  hand  in  hand  for  ill  combine. 
This  1  would  know,  and  this  alone: 

That  I  am  Christ's  and  Christ  is  mine; 
For  he  is  sure  to  keep  his  own. 

My  soul  would  thus  serenely  rest- 
Without  a  moment's  anxious  care — 

Upon  my  dear  Redeemer's  breast, 
And  find  its  sweetest  moments  there. 


TlH-1       TKMIMJ-:       HARP.  83 


MY    TREASURE. 

Let  others  be  eager  for  gold, 
With  all  it  is  able  to  give, 

But  I  have  a  treasure  untold. 
For  which  it  is  noble  to  live. 

\  treasure  eternal  is  mine; 
A  treasure  that  is  not  of  earth. 

Its  Giver  and  Guardian  divine. 
And  nothing  can  lessen  its  worth. 

'Twas  purchased  at  infinite  cost; 

Conveyed  by  the  Spirit  within; 
And  when  I  was  otherwise  lost, 

It  gave  me  salvation  from  sin. 
Then  go  with  your  silver  and  gold 

And  perish  with  them  in  the  dust! 
My  treasure  will  never  grow  old, 

Nor  suffer  corrosion  or  rust. 


84  THE      TEMPLE      HARP. 


DIVINE  GOODNESS. 

i  lad  I  a  thousand  hearts  to  feel 

The  goodness  of  my  God; 
Had  I  a  thousand  tongues  to  tell 

That  goodness  all  abroad — 
A  thousand  hearts  would  be  too  few  , 

A  thousand  tongues  too  weak, 
To  feel  the  gratitude  that's  due, 

That  gratitude  to  speak. 

Unnumbered  benefits  bestowed 

Unbounded  praise  demand; 
To  give  a  tithe  of  what  is  owed 

Would  all  my  life  command. 
Then  how  shall  I  attempt  to  sing, 

( )r  how  approach  his  throne? 
M)  heart,  my  life,  my  all  I  bring: 

Lord,  take  them  for  thine  own. 


tiik     TEMPLE     harp.  85 

PRAYER   FOR  CHRISTUKENESS. 

Lord,  teach  me  how  to  live  for  thee 

And  lose  my  life  in  thine. 
That  all  may  see  thyself  in  me. 

And  read  thy  life  in  mine. 

Oh,  teach  me  how  to  think  of  thee. 

And  help  me  so  to  think. 
Till  thou  art  as  a  spring*  to  me. 

At  which  my  soul  shall  drink. 

And  let  my  heart  be  full  of  thee. 

As  thou  art  full  of  love. 
That  so  my  one  desire  may  be 

For  things  that  are  above. 

Take  me  at  last  to  dwell  with  thee. 

To  gaze  upon  thy  face. 
And  tell,  throughout  eternity. 

The  eflories  of  thy  grace. 


86 


the    tkmpi,l;     harp. 


PRAYER  FOR  PURITY. 


Most  hoi)'  God!  thy  grace  impart, 
To  purge  and  purify  my  heart; 

And  let  it  be  so  well  refined 
That  not  a  sin  shall  stav  behind. 


And,  oh!  may  I  not  only  leave 
The  sins  that  would  the  Spirit  grieve. 
But  have  thy  love  so  fixed  within 
That  T  shall  hate  the  thought  of  sin. 


Help  me  its  hatefulness  to  see 
As  it  is  looked  upon  by  thee; 
To  hate  that  hatefulness,  and  shrink 
Prom  it  as  from  destruction's  brink. 


THIS      TEMPLE      HARP. 


87 


A    DESIRE    TO    DEPART. 

When  weary  in  heart, 

I  sigh  to  depart 
And  be  with  my  Savior  above; 

For  there  I  would  rest. 

With  none  to  molest, 
And  feast  on  his  infinite  love. 


Hut  when  \  behold 

The  labors  untold 
That  till  all  his  followers'  hands, 

1  can  not  but  feel 

Rekindlings  of  zeal, 
To  do  what  his  service  demands. 

Then  still  I  would  share 
The  toil  and  the  care 
To  build  tip  his  kingdom  below. 

!  bow  to  his  will 
To  labor  until 
From  earth  he  shall  tell  me  to  go. 

(  )h,  help  me,  dear  I  ,ord, 
To  wait  the  reward 
Laid  up  for  thy  servant  above. 

Yet,  when  I  would  pine. 

Thou  knowest  that  mine 

Is  but  the  impatience  of  love. 


88  tiii:     ti:.mi'jj-;     harp. 


JESUS    PRECIOUS    iX    DEATH. 

When  life's  fast-failing  pulse  is  low 
And  death  is  in  mine  eye, 

With  Jesus  by  my  side  1  know- 
It  must  be  sweet  to  die. 

When  other  friends  beside  me  shed 
The  unavailing  tear, 

This  Friend  will  be  about  my  bed, 
To  succor  and  to  cheer. 

I  le  knows  the  path  that  lies  before, 

Though  all  unknown  to  me. 
And  when  1  reach  the  farther  shore 

!  [is  hand  in  mine  will  be. 
Then  let  the  gathering  shadows  gloom . 

While  Jesus  still  is  nigh, 
My  faith  shah  look  beyond  the  tomb 

And  find  it  sweet  to  die. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  89 

SEEKING  THE  SPIRITS  AID. 

Spirit,  source  of  heavenly  light, 
Dawn  upon  my  inner  sight; 
Show  the  deeper  truths  to  me 
That  alone  1  can  not  see. 
Let  me  view  the  Savior's  face 
Till  I  realize  his  grace; 
Till  that  grace  my  spirit  move 
All  its  mysteries  to  prove. 

Let  me  feel  a  holy  fire, 
Burning  up  each  base  desire; 
Rising  in  a  flame  of  love 
Toward  the  purer  things  above; 
Rising  till  the  world  no  more 
Charms  my  senses  as  before, 
Bui  the  things  eternal  be 
Life's  great   treasure  unto  me. 


9° 


THE      TEMPIJS      HARP. 


BE  THANKFUL. 

Look  not  at  the  rich  and  great, 
To  compare  thy  low  estate. 
Lest  thy  soul  should  thankless  be 
For  the  lowlier  gifts  to  thee. 

Rather  think  of  their  affairs 
As  a  source  of  nameless  cares; 
Cares  from  which  thou  art  exempt, 
With  their  mighty  power  to  tempt. 

Look  thou  at  their  poorer  fare 
Who  thy  blessings  do  not  share: 
That  thou  mavest  not  repine 
While  so  much  of  good  is  thine. 


Think  thou  of  their  harder  lot, 
What  thou  hast  that  they  have  not 
Then  thy  soul  may  thankful  he 
kor  the  SfOod  bestowed  on  thee. 


mi-;     tkmplk     harp.  91 

BE   NOT  ANXIOUS. 

Cease,  anxious  spirit,  cease  to  pine. 
As  though  thou  wert  of  God  forgot; 

Think  of  the  blessings  that  are  thine. 
Instead  of  things  that  thou  hast  not. 

Though  undeserving  aught,  how  much 

lias  lie  apportioned  to  thy  share! 
Sure  he  whose  bounty  lias  been  such 
Will  give  thee  still  a  Father's  care. 

Mis  daily  blessings  are  in  store 
For  those  who  daily  seek  supplies. 

And  he  will  give  them  more  and  more 
As  more  are  needful  in  his  eyes. 

Then  count  the  blessings  of  the  past, 
And  here  thine  ebenezer  raise, 

Resolved  to  trust  him  to  the  last. 

And  he  will  fill  thy  heart  with  praise. 


<)2  THE      TEMPIJ*       HARP. 

HAVE  COURAGE. 
Phil.  ii.  12,  1 3. 

Courage,  Christian,  'mid  thy  trials! 

Nothing  hast  thou  need  to  dread. 
Though  the  world  may  pour  the  vials 

Of  its  wrath  upon  thy  head. 
Nay,  though  earth  and  hell  oppose  thee. 

Think  not  thou  art  left  alone. 
1  le  who  for  his  service  chose  thee 

Does  not  now  desert  his  own. 

Think  how  first  the  Spirit  won  thee. 

Working  out  the  Father's  will; 
Think  of  daily  favors  done  thee. 

Through  the  self-same  Spirit  still. 
(  )nward,  then,  through  tribulation, 

Till  his  perfect  will  he  done. 
Till  thou  gain  the  full  salvation, 

Till  the  fadeless  crown  be  won. 


TIIIv      TEMPLE      HARP. 


93 


WATCH    AND    PRAY. 

O  Christian  pilgrim!  watch  and  pray 

Against  the  powers  of  sin; 
A  host  of  foes  besets  thy  way; 

A  host  assails  within. 

Watch  when  the  powers  of  hell  are  nigh, 

To  nrey  upon  thy  soul; 
Watch  when  the  world  would  please  thine  eye. 

To  lure  thee  from  thy  goal. 

Watch  when  thy  heart  would  lust  for  sin 
(  )r  welcome  whispering  doubt. 

There's  more  to  fear  from  foes  within 
Than  from  the  foes  without. 


Then  watch,  and  as  thou  watchest  pray 
To  him  whose  eyes  ne'er  sleep. 

His  arm  alone  can  clear  thy  way; 
I  lis  hand  alone  can  keep. 


94  Tmv       TKMl'U'        MAR  I'. 


I!(  )IJ)    <  ).\. 

( )  child  of  God !  amid  the  storm 

That  roars  around  us  here, 
Be  firm  and  true  the  dark  night  through 

Tilth  the  day  appear. 
The  clouds  of  life  will  yet  be  past. 

The  dawn  be  bright  and  clear; 
Then  raise  thine  eyes  to  greet  the  skies 

Whose  dawning  must  be  near. 

i  I  old  bravely  on;  the  fiercest  gale 

But  bears  thee  o'er  the  sea; 
And  though  the  waves  may  seem  like  graves 

About  to  bury  thee, 
I  lave  faith  in  God,  who  holds  the  helm. 

And  thou  shalt  guided  be. 
And  anchor  cast  in  port  at  last. 

From  storm  and  tempest  tree. 


Tin:     ri'.Mrij;     HARP. 


95 


THE  CHRISTIAN   RACE. 

I  [eb.  xii.  7. 

(  )  Christian!  run  the  heavenly  race 
That  God  hath  set  before  thee; 

A  cloud  of  those  who  ran  before 
To-day  is  watching  o'er  thee. 

Have  patience;  they  have  won  the  prize, 

in  spite  of  greater  trial : 
Let  them  behold  thy  equal  faith 

And  dauntless  self-denial. 

Lay  off  the  weights  of  worldliness, 

And  what  would  most  impede  thee; 
Then  keep  thine  eve  on  Jesus  fixed. 
And  he  will  surelv  lead  thee. 


Behold,  he  sits  enthroned  above, 
With  eye  upon  thee  ever, 

\  crown  of  glory  in  his  hand 
That  never  fadeth — never. 


96  THE     TEMPLE     harp. 


A    FRIEND    IX    NEED. 

Troubled  soul,  no  longer  mourn; 

On  the  cross  thy  sins  were  borne. 
There  for  thee  the  blood  was  spilt 
That  atones  for  human  guilt. 
Xow  before  the  Father's  throne 
Jesus  makes  thy  cause  his  own; 
Watches  all  the  tempter's  snares; 
Feels  the  burden  of  thy  cares. 

Feeble  are  thou?  Never  fear; 
Christ  thy  Shepherd  still  is  near. 
Leading  thee,  from  day  to  day. 
In  a  safe  though  unseen  way; 
From  the  desert,  bleak  and  bare. 
Into  pastures  fresh  and  fair; 
And  he  will  not  fail  to  keep 
E'en  the  weakest  of  his  sheep. 


THE     tempi,  i;     harp.  97- 


LOSS  JS  GAIN. 

Quiet  be  thy  soul  to-day, 

Though  a  loved  one  dotli  depart : 
lie  who  gave  thee  takes  away, 

To  his  home  and  to  his  heart. 

Mourn  not  o'er  the  outer  void. 
As  the  grave  of  what  has  been; 

Rather  count  the  hours  enjoyed, 
Leaving  thee  so  rich  within. 

Through  the  evening  of  life's  day 
Look  with  thankful  heart  above. 

lie  who  gave  and  takes  away, 
So  has  taught  thee  how  to  love. 


98  Till;      TKMl'UC       HARP. 

GONE  HOME. 

Gone  home,  to  rest  where  Jesus  reigns, 
No  more  to  suffer  aches  and  pains. 
Now   sweet  at  length  that  rest  to  find. 
And  leave  the  weary  flesh  behind. 

Gone  home  to  that  fair  world  of  bliss, 
To  bear  no  more  the  cares  of  this, 
But  in  reposeful  pleasure  find 
All  irksome  thoughts  left  far  behind. 

Gone  home,  forevermore  to  be 
In  spirit  from  temptation  free. 
And  in  thy  Savior's  presence  find 

All  earthly  conflicts  left  behind. 

1 

Gone  home!  Mow  glorious  is  thy  slate! 
While  we  in  turn  our  summons  wail. 
I  )h,  may  v\ e  all  that  glory  find 
Who  here  to-day  are  left  behind! 


TDK      TKMl'J.K       HARP.  99 

REJOICE. 

Phil  iv.  4. 

Let  us  rejoice  in  the  God  of  salvation, 
While  we  press  on  to  the  kingdom  above. 

We  are  his  children  by  act  of  creation ; 

We  are  his  children  by  purchase  of  love. 
He  has  been  with  us  in  every  temptation. 

Strengthened  and  led  us,  delivered  and  blest; 
And  he  can  help  in  each  new  situation, 

Guarding  from  danger  and  guiding  to  rest. 

What  if  the  shadows  of  earth  become  deeper? 

Brighter  keeps  beaming  the  sunshine  of  God. 
I  )ry,  then,  thy  tears,  thou  disconsolate  weeper. 

Treading  the  path  that  the  Master  has  trod. 
What,    if    the    path    becomes    rougher    and 
steeper? 

He  will  proportionate  succor  afford. 
Never  lose  heart  with  so  mighty  a  Keeper: 

Rather  press  on  and  rejoice  in  the  Lord. 


lOO  THE      TEMPLE      HARP. 

CONFESSION'. 

• 

Lord,  when  we  view  our  hearts  aright 
As  they  are  viewed  by  thee. 

We  blush  to  look  upon  the  sight, 
So  much  of  self  we  see. 

Thy  Spirit  strips  our  motives  bare. 
To  show  what  lurks  within; 

When,  lo!  beneath  what  seemed  so  fair 
Are  subtle  forms  of  sin. 

( )h,  visit  us  in  gracious  might! 

Make  this  a  searching  hour; 
First  grant  the  gift  of  clearer  sight, 
And  then  of  cleansing  power. 

Let  every  screen  be  torn  away. 

Where  foes  infest  the  heart; 
\nd  let  our  strength  be  as  our  day, 

To  make  those  foes  depart. 


'rill-       TI-MIT.K       HARP.  IOI 

REVIVE    US    AGAIN. 
Psa.  lxxxv.  6. 

(  )h,  wilt  thou  not  revive  us,  Lord, 

And  let  us  thy  salvation  see; 
Some  token  of  thy  love  afford, 

That  so  we  may  rejoice  in  thee? 

Now  open  thou  our  blinded  eyes 

The  secret  obstacle  to  see. 
Which  in  thy  people's  pathway  lies 

'And  hinders  their  approach  to  thee. 

And  with  the  light  give  will  and  power, 
Whate'cr  the  secret  hindrance  be, 

To  give  it  up  this  very  hour 
And  consecrate  it  all  to  thee. 

Let  morning  take  the  place  of  night: 
Let  power  instead  of  weakness  be; 

( Jive  Zion  bloom  instead  of  blight : 
S< »  shall  we  all  rejoice  in  thee. 


102  THE      TEMPLE      HARP. 


PORGIVE    AS    WE    FORGIVE 
Matt.  vi.  12. 

Lord,  our  debts  to  thee  are  many 

As  the  sands  beside  the  sea; 
And  should'st  thou  forgive  not  any 

A\'e  could  not  complain  of  thee. 
But  the  fountain  of  thy  mercies 

With  unfailing  fullness  flows; 
Every  day  thy  love  rehearses, 

Every  night  some  favor  shows. 


When  our  debts  to  thee  confessing. 

We  are  ever  treated  thus, 
Shall  we,  while  thy  throne  addressing. 

Hate  who  debtors  are  to  us? 
Nay,  Lord;  as  we  hope  for  heaven, 

As  on  earth  to  thee  would  live, 
We  but  pray  to  be  forgiven 

As   our  fellows  we   forgive. 


riiiC     TKMn.K     hart.  io; 

But  so  great  our  nature's  weakness, 
From  our  first  forefather's  curse. 
We  to  mercy,  love  and  meekness 

Are  inherently  averse. 
Then,  ( )  gracious  Lord,  endue  us 
With  a  spirit  so  divine 

That,  whatever  men  do  to  us, 

We  may  show  a  love  like  thine. 


104  TITI^      TlvAIPIJv      HARP. 

BY    THE    RIVERS    OF    BABYLON. 
Psa.  cxxxvii.  12. 

By  Babylon's  streams  of  yore 

I  ler  harps  upon  the  willows  hung; 

For  Judah's  heart  was  bleeding  sore 
And  Zion's  song$  were  left  unsung". 

But  Judah  sought  Jehovah's  face. 

And  then  no  more  her  heart  was  wrung; 
She  proved  the  riches  of  his  grace, 

When  Zion's  songs  again  were  sung. 

So,  when  we  sit  in  silent  grief, 

Our  harps  of  happiness  unstrung. 

In  Jesus  we  may  find  relief, 

Till  songs  of  joy  again  are  sung. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  105 

THE    WAYS    OF    PR(  EVIDENCE. 

I  >eut.  xxxii.  11.  u. 

As  when  an  eagle  stirs  her  nest 
To  make  the  thorns  her  eaglets  tease, 

So  often  God  disturbs  our  rest 

When  we  would  sit  in  worldly  ease. 

She  bears  them  upward  on  her  wings 

To  give  them  heart  to  venture  forth; 
And  so  our  Father  kindly  brings 

Our  souls  to  leave  the  things  of  earth. 

Then  by  the  Spirit  we  are  led 
To  seek  the  better  things  above, 

Where  we  the  wings  of  faith  may  spread 
In  heaven's  high  atmosphere  of  love 


io6  Tin-;     tkmpijv     harp. 


MURMURING. 

I  low  oft  our  thoughts  have  turned  to  heaven. 
To  lay  our  secret  murmurs  there; 

Because  our  Father  has  not  given 

What  we  have  failed  to  seek  in  prayer. 

Perhaps  we  looked  upon  some  good, 

Yet  saw  his  hand  that  good  deny; 
At  which  complainingly  we  stood 
\nd  dared  to  ask  the  reason  why. 

Thus,  by  our  murmuring  unbelief, 

Have  we  so  oft  insulted  God, 
And  brought,  instead  of  sweet  relief, 

The  strokes  of  his  correcting  rod. 

Oh,  let  us  cease  our  sinrul  cry, 

\nd  lay  our  wants  before  his  feet; 

I  [e  will  not  turn  away  his  eye. 

Nor  fail  to  grant  us' what  is  meet. 


THE      TliMIT,]'.      harp.  10; 

WE    KNOW    IX    PART. 
I.  Cor.  xiii.  <). 

The  morning"  star  of  better  things 

Is  in  our  earthly  sky, 
And  every  passing  moment  brings 

The  heavenly  noontide  nigh. 

The  Sun  of  Righteousness  imparts 

A  gleam  of  holy  love. 
Which  gives  assurance  to  our  hearts 
Of  brighter  bliss  above. 

And  thus  we  know,  though  but  in  part. 
The  good  heaven  keeps  in  store; 

A  light  of  love  within  the  heart, 
Until  we  long  for  more. 

And  more  will  come,  as  conies  the  day. 
Which  drives  away  the  night: 

Earth's  morning  star  will  melt  away 
In  heaven's  effulgent  licrht. 


IOcS  THE      Tl'MPIJv      HARP. 

THE    NEW    JERUSALEM. 

The  New  Jerusalem  behold. 
Descended  from  the  skies, 

But  not  in  masonry  and  gold, 
To  dazzle  human  eyes. 

Mount  Zion  in  the  Gospel  stands 
More  glorious  than  before; 

Tier  temple  not  by  human  hands. 
Like  that  which  was  of  yore. 

Her  walls  are  now  the  hearts  of  men 
Built  1)}'  the  Spirit,  where 

The  bright  shekinah  shines  again. 
And  shows  that  God  is  there. 

There  dwell,  O  Christ  of  God,  until 

Thy  glory  fills  the  place; 
Make  all  her  stones  more  hallowed  still, 

With  sanctifying  grace. 

Build  up  Jerusalem,  thy  church. 

Until  the  nations  sec 
I  [er  glory  from  afar,  and  search 

Within  her  walls  for  thee. 


Tin;    TfiMPi,fi     harp.  109 

SAVED    BY    IK  IPE. 
Rom.  viii.  24. 

By  faith  at  first  we  find  the  grace 

That  makes  our  guilt  remove, 
[11  Christ  behold  the  Father's  face. 
I  [is  pardoning  mercy  prove. 

There  is  the  ground  of  all  our  hope, 

(  )n  which  we  stand  secure, 
Nor  fear  with  earth  and  hell  to  cope. 
Enabled  to  endure. 

Thence,  from  our  faith's  divinest  height, 

( )ur  future  home  we  view, 
And,  thrilled  with  rapture  at  the  sight, 

(  )ur  onward  way  pursue. 

'Tis  thus  the  hope  of  joys  to  come 

Doth  save  us,  day  by  day; 
It  speeds  our  steps  to  reach  that  home. 

And  cheers  us  by  the  way. 

Oh,  may  our  faith  grow  stronger  still, 
\u(\  make  our  hope  more  bright, 

I 'mil  we  stand  on  Zion's  hill 
Tn  everlasting  licrht. 


IIO  THE      TEMPLfi      HARP. 

IN    THE    WILDERNESS. 

From  sin's  Egyptian  bondage  tree, 
In  journeying  a  season,  we 

Have  Canaan  in  our  view. 
A  tedious  wilderness  we  tread, 
Yet,  by  our  trusty  Captain  led. 

Our  journey  we  pursue. 

That  goodly  land  before  us  lies, 
And  we  in  favored  moments  rise 

To  Pisgah's  lofty  height; 
Whence,  by  the  eye  of  faith,  we  glance 
Across  our  journey's  last  expanse 

And  glimpse  the  glorious  sight. 

Then  let  us  gird  our  loins  and  haste 
The  plenty  of  that  land  to  taste. 

Where  we  no  more  shall  roam. 
Our  heavenly  Joshua  leads  the  way. 
And  we  are  nearer  every  day 

To  our  eternal  home. 


tiil;    temple    harp.  hi 

THE    GLORIOUS    HOPE. 

1  low  blest  are  they  whose  toils  arc  o'er. 
Who  rest  with  Jesus  evermore! 
Forgot  is  every  earthly  sigh, 
And  not  a  tear  bedews  their  eye. 

\<>  thought  of  things  behind  molests; 
Nor  aught  before  perturbs  their  breasts. 
Faith  lends  no  more  her  glimmering  light, 

But  ends  in  everlasting  sight. 

There  in  the  glory-light  they  shine. 
Where  sin  mars  not  the  life  divine: 
And  there  before  the  throne  adore. 
To  share  that  glory  evermore. 

Then,  while  with  troubles  here  ye  cope, 

(  )h,  smile,  ye  saints,  in  glorious  hope' 
And  take  this  as  your  Father's  wax- 
To  make  you  fit  for  endless  day. 


112 


THK      TEMPLE      HART, 


THE    ALMIGHTY    SHEPHERD. 

Great  Shepherd  of  the  sheep. 
To  thee  thy  flock  is  known. 

And  thou  hast  will  and  power  to  keep 
Whom  thou  hast  made  thine  own. 

Their  nature  is  subdued; 

'idiy  nature  has  been  given; 
And,  with  thy  saving  grace  endued. 

They  now  are  heirs  of  heaven. 

Their  nair.es  are  in  thy  book; 

Their  souls  are  in  thy  care; 
Their  pathway  thou  dost  overlook, 

And  all  that  path  prepare. 

If  thoughtlessly  they  stray. 

If  here  or  there  they  fall, 
Thy  providence  points  out  the  way; 

They  hear  thy  Spirit  call. 

r>\  erring  made  more  wise, 

By  falling  taught  to  stand. 
Strong  in  tin  strength  again  they  rise, 

Grasped  by  thy  guiding  hand. 


TH3      TEMPLE      HARP.  I  13 

Then,  how  can  foes  succeed 

Against  whom  thou  dost  keep? 

Their  power  the  Shepherd's  must  exceed 
Ere  they  destroy  the  sheep. 


HEAVEN. 

We  know  not,  Lord,  what  heaven  can  be, 
It  so  transcends  whatever  we  see; 
And  yet  we  look  for  blest  employ, 
And  happiness  without  alloy. 

Whate'er  can  give  the  spirit  rest; 
Whate'er  can  make  our  being  blest; 
Whate'er  can  make  us  more  like  thee, 
Such  we  expect  that  heaven  to  be. 

But  here  we  are  content  to  wait, 
Till  entering  on  our  blest  estate; 
For  soon  shall  all  thy  children  know 
What  none  can  e'er  conceive  below. 


114  ™£      TEMPLE      HARP. 

OUR    HOUSE    ABOVE. 

There  is  a  house  not  made  with  hands; 
Beyond  our  mortal  sight  it  stands, 

In  glory  nought  can  dim. 
There  God  presides,  enthroned  in  light, 
And  angels,  robed  in  perfect  white, 

Enraptured,  worship  him. 

There,  as  the  Father  of  our  race, 
He  has  prepared  a  dwelling  place 

For  all  the  saints  of  earth; 
And  all  shall  meet  as  kindred  there, 
And  in  the  common  blessing  share 

That  gives  that  life  its  worth. 

No  narrow  scope  of  earthly  ties 
Shall  circumscribe  their  sympathies 

And  cramp  their  love,  as  here; 
But  God  will  so  his  love  reveal 
That  as  himself  they  all  will  feel 

In  that  celestial  sphere. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  II5 

Eternally  at  home,  with  nought 
To  stir  in  them  desire  or  thought 

That  would  the  Father  grieve, — 
One  family  they  so  shall  dwell, 
In  bliss  too  pure  for  tongue  to  tell 

Or  mortal  to  conceive. 


IN    REMEMBRANCE. 

While  thy  table.  Lord,  is  spread 
And  we  break  this  blessed  bread, 
We  receive  it  as  the  token 
Of  thy  body,  bruised  and  broken. 

While  the  sacred  cup  we  take, 
Drink  of  it  for  thy  dear  sake, 
We  recall  our  condemnation, 
Trust  thy  Mood  for  our  salvation. 

Meet  with  us,  O  Lord,  in  power; 
Consecrate  this  precious  hour; 
May  we  feel  that  thou  art  dearer. 
And  our  home  a  season  nearer. 


Il6  THE      TEMPLE      HARP. 

BEARING  CHRIST'S  AFFLICTIONS. 

Col.  i.  24. 

Lord  Jesus,  crowned  as  Conqueror  now, 
With  radiant  glory  on  thy  brow, 

Who  once  wert  in  the  flesh — 
From  age  to  age  thy  people  fill 
Thy  measure  of  afflictions  still, 

As  crucified  afresh. 

Since  their  afflictions,  Lord,  are  thine, 
Thou  dost  afford  them  help  divine, 

To  suffer  all  for  thee; 
And  they  by  whom  they  are  endured 
Are  by  thy  wTord,  thy  love,  assured 

They  shall  thy  glory  see. 

Then  give  us  patience  now  to  bear, 
That  thy  afflictions  we  may  share 

Without  a  murmuring  word; 
And  when  our  present  woes  are  past. 
Oh,  let  us  find  a  place  at  last 

With  thee,  our  risen  Lord. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  II7 


A  TEMPLE  OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT. 

O  Holy  Spirit!  can  it  be 
That  thou  art  templed  here  in  me? 
Then  let  me  tremble  at  the  thought, 
And  use  thy  temple  as  I  ought. 

Let  not  a  lust  its  altar  stain, 
Or  footprint  of  the  world  profane; 
But  be  thy  power  supreme  within, 
To  cast  out  every  lurking  sin. 

So  for  thyself  my  heart  prepare, 

And  let  me  hear  thee  speaking  there, 

Till  through  my  thoughts  the  words  resound: 

"Take  off  your  shoes,  'tis  holy  ground." 

As  once  the  bright  shekinah  shone, 
In  me  thy  presence  now  make  known; 
That  I  may  feel,  and  others  see, 
That  thou  art  templed  here  in  me. 


n8  ths     T£MPI,E      HARP. 

SPIRITUAL  COMMUNION. 

A  smile  can  reach  the  heart, 

A  frown  disturb  the  soul, 
An  eyeflash  make  emotions  start, 

And  through  the  bosom  roll. 

Then  since  our  spirits  thus 

Can  other  spirits  move, 
Much  more  can  God,  who  fashioned  us, 

His  power  within  us  prove. 

And  since  these  hidden  powers, 
While  in  the  flesh,  are  given, 

What  blest  communion  must  be  ours 
When  spirits  meet  in  heaven. 
Unburdened  of  the  clay, 
Which  comes  between  us  here, 

Our  trammels  will  be  torn  away 
In  that  celestial  sphere. 

Oh,  rapturous  height  of  bliss 
To  which  we  then  may  soar! 
When  in  the  world  that  follows  this 
We  dwell  forevermore. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  II9 

With  God  we  shall  enjoy 
More  close  communion  there, 
And  in  his  service  find  employ, 
While  we  his  glory  share. 

THE  FRIEND  OF  THE  POOR. 

O  Jesus,  the  friend  of  the  poor, 

Whose  sympathy  proved  thee  divine, 
Who  earnest  thyself  to  endure 

The  lot  of  the  poorest  of  thine, — 
May  we,  by  our  sympathy,  show 

That  we  are  disciples  indeed. 
In  having,  as  thou  when  below, 

The  hand  of  a  helper  in  need. 

The  poor  in  the  kingdom  of  God 

Are  rich  in  the  treasures  unseen, 
Although  they  may  wearily  plod, 

Despised  by  the  sordid  and  mean. 
Then  may  we  remember  thy  poor 

With  sympathy  such  as  was  thine, 
And,  helping  their  lot  to  endure, 

So  prove  our  religion  divine. 


120  THE      TEMPLE      HARP. 

THE    INCREASE    OF    GOD. 
I.  Cor.  iii.  6. 

Let  the  Church,  as  God  hath  taught  her, 
From  all  human  vaunting  cease. 

Paul  may  plant,  Apollos  water, 
He  it  is  must  give  increase. 

Not  in  learning's  art  to  reason, 

Not  in  labor's  fervid  zeal, 
But  the  Spirit's  gracious  season, 

Is  the  power  to  save  and  heal. 

In  the  struggle  of  the  ages — 

Truth  with  error,  right  with  wrong — 

Let  her,  while  the  conflict  rages, 
Know  that  he  is  ever  strong. 

With  her  eye  to  him  uplifted, 

Let  her  faith  his  presence  claim; 

Then  with  power  she  shall  be  gifted, — 
Power  to  conquer  in  his  name. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  121 

Hitherto  his  hand  hath  brought  her. 

And  his  mercies  never  cease; 
Let  her  plant  then,  let  her  water, 

He  will  surely  give  increase. 

DIVINE    KNOWLEDGE. 

Away,  ye  doubts,  that  ask  to  see 
The  things  that  hidden  lie! 

Life's  deepest  mysteries  may  not  be 
Beheld  by  human  eye. 

We  test  not  by  the  touch  of  sense 

The  secrets  of  the  soul, 
But  have  an  inward  evidence 

Of  a  divine  control. 

The  Spirit  to  our  spirit  speaks 

The  mysteries  of  the  skies; 
And  he  who  this  communion  seeks 

Becomes  divinely  wise. 

Then  come,  O  Spirit,  speak  in  us 
What  else  we  can  not  know; 

That  we  may  grow  in  knowledge  thus 
And  foretaste  heaven  below. 


122  THE)      TEMPI^      HARP. 

STEWARDSHIP. 

Luke  xvi.  9. 

Awhile  on  earth  we  need 

The  little  earth  can  give; 
But  not  a  sordid  greed, 

Which  can  no  more  than  live. 
Our  bodies  live  their  little  day, 
Then  mingle  with  the  mouldering  clay. 

Alas,  if  we  have  past 

Our  time  in  toil  and  care, 
That  leave  us  at  the  last 
The  victims  of  despair; 
Since,  by  our  blessings  here  abused, 
Before  a  judgment  bar  accused! 

Lord,  help  us  so  to  spend 
Our  little  earthly  store 
That,  when  this  life  shall  end 
And  earth  we  need  no  more, 
Our  faithful  use  of  what  was  given 
May  find  our  souls  more  fit  for  heaven. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  1 23 


USING    AS    NOT    ABUSING. 

We  thank  thee,  Lord  of  earth  and  heaven, 
For  every  blessing  thou  hast  given; 
For  all  that  thou  dost  daily  give 
To  make  it  good  for  us  to  live. 

We  thank  thee  for  a  vast  supply 
Of  beauteous  things,  to  please  the  eye; 
For  flowery  vales  and  verdant  hills; 
For  waving  woods  and  rippling  rills. 

We  thank  thee  for  the  scented  air; 
For  music  murmuring  everywhere; 
For  all  we  taste,  and  all  we  touch; 
So  varied,  pleasant,  and  so  much. 

Lord,  help  us  so  thy  gifts  to  use 
That  we  may  not  those  gifts  abuse, 
Lest  we  their  office  so  reverse, 
And  make  each  blessing  prove  a  curse. 


124  THE      TEMPLE      HARP. 


WORLDLY    CARES. 

How  prone  we  are  to  magnify 

The  little  ills  of  life, 
As  though  there  were  no  Sovereign  eye 

Upon  earth's  petty  strife. 

We  lay  our  plans  as  though  our  all 
Depends  on  their  success; 

And  if  one  idol  project  fall, 
We  sigh  in  deep  distress. 

And  thus  we  turn  our  thoughts  below 
Who  ought  to  look  above, 

And  fill  our  hearts  with  worldly  woe, 
Instead  of  heavenly  love. 

Lord,  let  our  troubled  hearts  be  calm 
As  summer's  twilight  hour; 

Our  thoughts  of  thee  a  precious  balm 
That  has  a  soothing  power. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  1 25 


CHILDREN    OK    A    KING. 

Rejoice,  ye  royal  race, 

Ye  children  of  a  King! 

Who  grants  you  now  his  grace 

Will  you  to  glory  bring. 
Then  patient  to  the  end  endure; 
Since  your  inheritance  is  sure. 

Condemn  the  pride  of  earth, 
Its  empty  pomp  and  praise; 
Think  of  your  royal  birth, 
And  walk  in  royal  ways. 

Live  here  below  for  things  above, 

In  all  the  royalty  of  love. 

Think  how  the  King  of  heaven 

Has  deigned  to  call  you  his. 

Think  of  the  blessings  given, 

And  all  the  promises. 
Then  haste  with  exultation  hence, 
To  gain  your  great  inheritance. 


126  THK      TEMPLE      HARP. 

GOD  WILL  PROVIDE. 

Pilgrims  bound  heavenward, 

Tempted  and  tried, 
Lean  on  the  mighty  Lord 

Whate'er  betide. 
Long  as  your  faith  relies 
Fixed  on  the  promises, 
Lift  up  your  cheerful  eyes; 
God  will  provide. 

If  you  shall  troubles  meet 
Too  great  to  bear, 

Go  to  the  mercy  seat, 

Lay  them  down  there. 

Ask  him  to  bear  them,  then 

Take  them  not  up  again; 

Know  that  he  answers,  when 
Called  on  in  prayer. 

Sure  as  on  Calvary 
Jesus  hath  died. 

If  unto  him  you  flee 
Whate'er  betide, 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  127 

Though  'neath  a  cloud  of  woes 
While  earth  and  hell  oppose, 
You  shall  in  peace  repose; 
God  will  provide. 

BE  NOT  FEARFUL. 

Ye  trembling  souls,  by  fears  opprest! 

Call  now  upon  the  Lord; 
To  him  be  every  want  exprest, 

And  he  will  help  afiford. 

His  faithfulness  you  oft  have  seen; 

Then  why  in  anguish  bow? 
His  word  has  never  broken  been, 

Nor  will  he  break  it  now. 

Your  unbelief  alone  enshrouds 
The  brightness  of  your  sky. 

Be  still  and  trust  him,  then  the  clouds 
Before  his  breath  will  fly. 

Yea,  look  to  him  in  confidence 

When  threatening  woes  are  nigh; 

He  says  that  he  will  bring  you  thence, 
And  God  can  never  lie. 


128  THE     TEMPLE      HARP. 

DISMISSING  CARE. 

I.  Pet.  v.  7. 

Cast  your  care  upon  the  Lord; 
Boldly  take  him  at  his  word; 
Prove  his  promises,  and  so 
Let  your  faith  to  knowledge  grow. 

Cast  it  all  upon  the  Lord, 
For  he  can  such  help  afford 
As  will  ease  you  of  the  whole, 
Resting  well  the  weary  soul. 

Cast  your  care  upon  the  Lord, 
Then  he  will  your  faith  reward, 
Bless  as  he  has  others  blest, 
Antedate  your  heavenly  rest. 

Cast  your  care  upon  the  Lord; 
He  will  every  help  afford, 
When  no  other  help  is  found 
In  the  whole  wide  world  around. 

Cast  it  now  upon  the  Lord; 
Be  with  him  in  sweet  accord; 
Then  you  soon  shall  prove  it  true 
That  he  carcth  much  for  you. 


THE      TEMPI,*)      HARP.  I29 

DAILY    VICTORY. 

When  twilight  fades  around  the  sky, 
And  we  have  laid  the  burdens  by 

That  chafed  us  into  pain, 
How  sweet  it  is  that  we  can  say, 
"The  burdens  we  have  borne  to-day 

Shall  not  be  borne  again." 

The  battle  fought  may  be  renewed, 
And  foes  arise  that  seemed  subdued, 

Ere  we  obtain  the  crown. 
Yet  even-  day  some  triumph  knows, 
And  every  twilight  brings  repose, 

And  lays  some  burden  down. 

O  fellow  soldier!  let  thine  eye 
Behold  th\  Captain  in  the  sky, 

Directing  thee  by  day. 
Then,  in  the  calm  of  every  night,    - 
Thy  nearing  crown  shall  grow  more  bright, 

As  burnished  in  the  fray. 


130  THE     TEMPI^     harp. 

TO-MORROW. 

Lodged,  Lord,  with  thee  to-morrow  lies, 

It  secrets  hidden  in  the  bud, 
And  their  unfoldment  may  surprise 

Us  with  their  evil  or  their  good. 

'Tis  well  the  fruitage  is  concealed, 
Or  we  should  toil  with  little  zest. 

'Twere  pain  to  have  the  ill  revealed; 
The  good  would  come  not  at  its  best. 

The  sweets  of  hope  the  saint  would  lose, 
And  languish,  may  be,  for  the  goal; 

The  sinner  mercy's  day  abuse, 
And  forfeit,  in  the  end,  his  soul. 

It  is  a  happy  ignorance 

That  takes,  from  out  a  hidden  hand, 
The  daily  dole  of  Providence, 

And  asks  no  more  to  understand. 

'Tis  thus,  when  trusting.  Lord,  in  thee, 

We  walk  by  faith,  and  not  by  sight; 
And  thus,  because  we  can  not  see, 

Our  darkness  is  our  surest  light. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  131 


OUR    OPPORTUNITY. 

One  life  a  mortal  lives, 
Then  doomed  be  is  to  die. 
One  time  for  toil  the  Master  gives, 
And  fast  its  moments  fly. 

Awhile  we  have  a  power, 
As  that  within  a  seed. 
To  bloom  into  a  beauteous  flower 
And  bear  the  bounteous  deed. 

Once  let  our  moments  pass, 
We  vainly  are  appalled; 
In  vain  we  sigh  and  cry,  Alas! — 
They  may  not  be  recalled. 

The  seed  has  lost  its  power, 
And  has  no  future  sun. 
To  give  unfoldment  to  the  flower 
And  let  the  deed  be  done. 

Lord,  help  us  so  to  spend 

Our  moments  ere  they  fly. 
That  we  may  serve  our  being's  end, 
And  in  fruition  die 


132  the    temple    harp. 


MY    MISSION. 

Lord  of  my  life,  to  thee  I  owe 

Whatever  gives  that  life  its  worth. 

Nought  good  I  am,  or  have,  or  know, 
Except  as  thou  hast  given  it  birth. 

Sure  not  for  nought  that  life  was  given; 

For  nought  thy  blessings  are  not  sent; 
But  for  the  destinies  of  heaven 

They  have  some  great  and  grand  intent. 

Among  the  multitudes  of  men 

Thou  hast  not  blindly  cast  my  lot; 
Nor  has  thy  providential  pen 

Shown  merely  an  unmeaning  blot. 

A  place  there  is  for  me  to  fill, 

A  work  my  hands  were  made  to  do; 

Then  help  me,  Lord,  with  read)'  will. 
My  proper  mission  to  pursue. 

Give  me  my  Savior's  eyes  to  see; 

Ilis  sympathizing  heart  to  feel; 
That  so  my  daily  life  may  be 

One  act  of  consecrated  zeal. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  I33 

DO    THY    WORK. 

Rouse  thee,  brother;  life  is  flitting; 

Spend  no  time  in  murdering  time; 
Deem  no  labor  unbefitting; 

Aught  for  Jesus  is  sublime. 

While  a  world  of  sinners  dying 

Daily  stands  before  thy  view, 
Sit  not  thou,  supinely  sighing 

Some  stupendous  work  to  do. 

Face  thy  work  and  calmly  view  it; 

Yet  be  not  content  to  view; 
Daily,  hourly,  nobly  do  it. 

For  so  much  from  thee  is  due. 

Work,  as  though  the  world's  condition 
Could  be  much  improved  by  thee; 

Pray,  as  though  on  each  petition 
Hung  creation's  destiny. 


134  TII£      TEMPLE      HARP. 

WHY    STAND     YE    IDLE? 
Matt.  xx.  6. 

Why  stand  ye  idle  all  the  day 

When  God  has  given  von  noble  powers? 
Why  let  the  moments  Hit  away 

And  leave  a  wreck  of  wasted  powers? 
A  mighty  work  remains  to  do, 
And  he  assigns  a  part  to  yon. 

Why  stand  ye  idle  all  the  day 

And  leave  your  Master's  work  undone? 
Your  life  is  wearing"  fast  away, 

With  nought,  perhaps,  for  him  begun. 
Think  what  your  idle  hours  will  cost 
When  once  eternal  life  is  lost. 

Why  stand  ye  idle  all  the  daw 

Encumbered  with  a  thousand  cares? 

From  God  you  turn  your  heart  away, 
Despising  him  'and  his  affairs. 

On  trilling  things  ye  waste  your  time 

Who  mififht  be  doing  things  sublime. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  I35 

Why  stand  ye  idle  all  the  day, 

With  judgment  sweeping  swiftly  on? 

When  here  your  life  has  passed  away, 
What  will  avail  the  trifles  gone? 

Oh,  choose  his  service  while  you  may, 

Nor  stand  ye  idle  all  the  day. 


THE    SINNER'S    PLEA. 

Guilty,  Lord,  to  thee  I  fly; 
Thou  must  save  me  or  I  die. 
This  is  all  the  plea  I  make: 
Save  me.  Lord,  for  Jesus'  sake. 

Look  not  at  my  life  of  sin; 
Look  not  at  my  heart  within: 
Look  at  Jesus  on  the  tree. 
Then  in  mercy  look  on  me. 

If  I  could  for  sin  atone, 

I  would  weep,  and  plead,  and  groan, 

But  this  only  plea  I  make: 
Save  me  now,  for  [esus'  sake. 


I36  THE      TEMPLE      HARP. 

YOUR    WORK. 

Brothers!  there  is  work  to  do 
That  is  meant  for  none  but  you. 
Here  a  wanderer  you  can  seek, 
There,  a  pity  you  can  speak, 
Or  a  message  you  can  tell 
As  no  other  can  so  well. 

He  who  portions  out  the  work 
Grants  no  privilege  to  shirk. 
Not  a  day  but  brings  its  share; 
Hence  there  is  no  time  to  spare; 
Not  a  day  of  useless  ease; 
Not  a  day  the  flesh  to  please. 

Up  for  Jesus,  then,  to-day! 
Seek  some  soul  that  goes  astray; 
Thus  find  pleasure  more  sublime 
Than  is  found  in  wasting  time; 
Burnish  all  your  nobler  powers 
With  the  wear  of  busy  hours. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  I37 

THE    WORLD    FOR    JESUS. 

Go  save  the  world  for  Jesus. 

Who  bought  it  with  his  blood; 
Let  holy  ardor  seize  us 

To  do  as  Jesus  would. 
Fear  not  to  face  affliction; 

Shrink  not  from  toil  and  pain; 
Nay,  smile  at  crucifixion, 

If  we  a  soul  may  gain. 

Go  bring  the  world  to  Jesus, 

Who  waits  to  take  it  in. 
Such  labor  ought  to  please  us, 

Who  are  redeemed  from  sin. 
Remember  how  he  sought  us, 

That  we  may  seek  the  lost; 
Remember  how  he  bought  us, 

That  we  may  spare  no  cost. 

Go  bring  the  world  to  Jesus, 

For  millions  are  astray, 
And  he,  the  Master,  sees  us 

If  we  the  work  delay. 
Oh,  do  not  dare  to  dally 

With  thoughts  of  worldly  ease, 
But  rouse  we  for  the  rally, 

God's  world  for  God  to  seize. 


138  the:    temple     harp. 

AT    THE    MERCY    SEAT. 

When  with  languid  hearts  we  meet, 
Coldly  at  the  mercy  seat, 
Caring  little  to  be  there, 
What  a  weariness  is  prayer! 

When  *ve  feel  our  hearts  on  fire, 
Burning  with  divine  desire. 
Glad  that  Christ  invites  us  there, 
What  a  privilege  is  prayer! 

When  overwhelmed  with  awe  we  kneel, 
And  his  real  presence  feel, — 
While  communing  with  him  there, 
What  a  luxury  is  prayer! 

m 

Fan,  O  Lord,  the  smouldering  fire; 
Stimulate  the  dull  desire; 
Lei  us  feel  that  thou  art  there. 
When  we  bend  the  knee  in  prayer. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  I39 


PRAY    ON. 

Pray  on;  for  God,  thy  Father,  knows 
Thy  needs  before  they  are  exprest. 

Through  prayer  he  would  thy  heart  dispose 
To  seek  a  refuge  in  his  breast. 

Pray  on;  for  should  thy  judgment  err, 
Thou  mayest  be  assured  of  this: 

That,  as  thy  heart's  interpreter. 
His  answer  will  not  be  amiss. 

Pray  on,  until  thy  sense  of  need 
Shall  melt  the  icy  forms  of  speech, 

And  bring*  thy  glowing  lips  to  plead 
In  faith  that  has  a  farther  reach. 

Pray  on,  until  thy  soul  is  nigh 

To  where  his  presence  may  be  felt; 

So  shall  the  treasures  of  the  sky 
To  thee  with  liberal  hand  be  dealt. 

,Pray  on,  until  the  power  be  thine 
To  do  the  work  that  he  demands; 

Filled  with  an  energy  divine, 

To  thrill  thv  heart  and  nerve  thv  hands. 


14°  THE      TEMPLE      HARP. 

THE    HOUR    OF    PRAYER. 

There  is  a  calm,  inspiring  hour 
Which  brings  to  me  a  secret  power — 
A  power  my  daily  cross  to  bear, 
And  triumph  over  every  care. 

There  is  a  sweet,  reviving  hour, 
As  welcome  as  a  summer  shower, 
Whose  gracious  drops  refresh  my  soul, 
And  make  the  streams  of  gladness  roll. 

There  is  a  glad,  expectant  hour. 
Which  dissipates  the  clouds  that  lower, 
And  opens  to  my  raptured  view 
A  glimpse  of  heaven's  eternal  blue. 

There  is  a  great,  triumphant  hour, 
When  even  death  shall  lose  his  power; 
For  I  shall  find  my  Savior  there, 
With  thee  the  precious  hour  of  prayer. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  I4I 


ASKING    AMISS. 

Alas,  O  Lord!  in  ignorance 

To  thee  we  often  cry, 
When,  in  thy  gracious  providence, 

Thou  must  our  prayer  deny; 

For  better  to  deny  thine  own. 

However  much  we  sigh, 
And  give  us  bread  who  ask  a  stone, 

Than  with  our  wish  comply. 

When  thus  to  thee,  in  ignorance, 

.  Petitions  are  addrest, 
The  answer  of  thy  providence 

Interprets  the  request. 
Then  let  us  at  the  mercy  seat 

Tn  meek  submission  rest. 
Assured  thou  answerest  as  is  meet. 

In  giving  what  is  best. 


I42  THE      TEMPLE      HARP. 

THE    FAITHFUL    ONE. 

O  Thou,  whose  eye  can  see 
AYhate'er  thy  hands  have  made, 
In  every  need  we  turn  to  thee 
And  ask  thy  gracious  aid. 

Since  thou  hast  deigned  to  make, 
Thou  must  be  pleased  to  bless 
Thy  children  who  thy  promise  take 
And  walk  in  trustfulness. 

Yea,  we  have  found  thy  grace 
A  never-failing  store; 
For  never  have  we  sought  thy  face 
Without  receiving  more. 

Then  still  in  thee  we  trust. 
To  have  our  wants  supplied. 
Thou  hast  provided,  and  thou  dost 
And  ever  wilt  provide. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  I43 

BROTHERLY  LOVE. 

How  blest  the  sacred  bond  that  makes 
Us  one  in  Christian  brotherhood! 

And  dear  the  union  that  awakes 
Desires  for  one  another's  good. 

No  other  bond  should  be  so  dear. 

No  other  union  close  as  this. 
Which  makes  us  one  in  Jesus  here; 

One  in  our  aims  and  sympathies. 

Nought  born  of  earth  should  come  between 
The  hearts  that  Jesus  thus  unites; 

Nor  aught  our  warm  affections  wean 

From  those  in  whom  our  Head  delights. 

Then  let  us  all  our  burdens  share, 

As  we  our  mutual  joys  partake. 
What  we  for  one  another  bear 

Is  so  much  done  for  Jesus'  sake. 


144  ™E      TEMPLE       HARP. 

MAN    IMMORTAL. 

This  life  is  not  a  breath, 
And  then  an  empty  void. 
There  is  a  something  after  death 
That  can  not  be  destroyed. 

Yes,  cavil  as  we  will,' 
And  reason  as  we  may, 
The  soul  asserts  its  being  still, 
In  spite  of  all  we  say. 

There  is  a  restless  thought, 
Which  can  not  be  supprest; 
There  is  a  mentor  comes  unsought 
And  speaks  within  the  breast. 

It  tells  us  that  a  spark 
Of  being  burns  within; 
That  should  our  sinning  make  it  dark, 
It  is  not  quenched  by  sin. 

The  soul  shall  ever  be 
A  spark  unquenchable; 
Its  outlook  as  eternity; 

Its  home  in  heaven  or  hell. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  I45 

THE    ALL-SEEING    EYE. 

There  is  a  sleepless  eye 
That  watches  all  our  way; 
There  is  a  record  in  the  sky 
Of  all  we  do  and  say. 

Our  very  thoughts  are  seen; 
Our  motives  all  are  known; 
Those  thoughts  and  motives  nought  can  screen 
Before  a  Judgment  throne. 

There  all  will  be  revealed. 
Our  secret  sins  disclosed; 
Yea.  what  we  thought  the  best  concealed 
May  be  the  most  exposed. 

So  faithful  let  us  be 
That,  when  that  day  arrives. 
We  may  not  blush  nor  fear  to  see 
The  record  of  our  lives. 


146  the;    temple     harp. 

THE    FOOL'S    HOPE. 

"There  is  no  God/'  the  fool  hath  said, 
"No  God  that  rules  on  high"; 

And  yet  he  feels  a  guilty  dread 
When  called  upon  to  die. 

He  fain  would  live  as  sinners  live, 

In  reckless  folly  here; 
His  life  to  sin  and  Satan  give, 

Then  die  without  a  fear. 

But  none  can  live  as  sinners  live 

Without  a  guilty  woe. 
To  whom  on  earth  their  life  they  give, 

To  him  at  last  they  go. 

There  is  an  everlasting  God, 

Who  made  and  judges  men; 

And  fools  at  length  will  feel  his  rod, 
And  see  their  folly  then. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  I47 

SOWING    AND    REAPING. 

Gal.  vi.  7,  8. 

Life  is  the  time,  the  heart  the  field, 
Where  seeds  of  character  are  sown; 

And  as  we  sow  will  be  the  yield, 
When  once  the  crop  is  fully  grown. 

vSow  to  the  flesh,  then  sin  will  strike 

Its  roots  in  our  affections  deep; 
And  like  in  time  will  bear  its  like, 

When  in  eternity  we  reap. 

To  him  whose  will  subjects  the  soul, 
Resisting  conscience,  earth  and  heaven, 

Continuing  its  usurped  control, 
An  endless  impetus  is  given. 

Not  death  from  nature's  law  has  freed; 

He  reaps  not  wheat  who  sowed  but  tares. 
By  sin  corrupted  in  the  seed, 

Corrupt  is  all  the  fruit  he  bears. 

Oh,  let  us  to  the  Spirit  sow, 

That  we  may  life  eternal  reap; 
In  holiness  unceasing  grow, 

That  we  that  character  may  reap. 


I4&  THE      TEMPLE      HARP. 

THE    DOWNWARD    ROAD. 

There  is  a  downward  road 
That  leads  to  death  and  hell, 
And  sinners  find  the  dark  abode 
Where  none  but  sinners  dwell. 

Though  smiling  sins  abound. 
To  lure  the  soul  along, 
In  them  no  gladsome  peace  is  found. 
To  fill  the  soul  wTith  song. 

But  disappointments  mock, 
And  sickly  pleasures  cloy; 
While  fears  of  death  the  spirit  shock, 
And  so  its  peace  destroy. 

If  thinking  of  the  end 
Can  every  pleasure  blight. 
What  must  it  be  in  hell  to  spend   • 
An  everlasting  nisrht ? 


the    temple    harp.  149 

DIVINE  LONGSUFFERING. 

Yet  awhile  the  drunken  throng, 
Wild  with  revelry  and  song, 
May  with  horror  fill  the  night, 
And  the  eyes  of  day  affright. 

Yet  awhile,  with  bloody  hand, 
Crime  may  riot  in  the  land; 
Vice  go  forth  with  shameless  face, 
Glorying  in  its  dark  disgrace. 

Yet  awhile  may  those  at  ease 
Live  themselves  alone  to  please; 
Zion's  watchmen,  on  her  walls, 
Daily  drowse  while  duty  calls. 

Yet  awhile  the  lifted  rod, 
Threatening  in  the  hand  of  God, 
May  forbear;  but  woe  to  all 

AYhcn  that  rod  in  wrath  shall  tall' 


I50  THE      TEMPLE      HARP. 

WARNING. 

Willful,  wayward,  wandering  soul, 
Thou  art  traveling  towards  a  goal 
Where  alone  the  wicked  dwell, 
In  the  banishment  of  hell. 

Dreadful  doom  to  dreadful  place! 
Outcast  from  the  God  of  grace. 
Woe  of  woes  'twill  be  to  know 
That  thy  deeds  have  earned  thy  woe. 

God  has  wooed,  is  wooing  still; 
Warned  thee  of  the  fruits  of  ill; 
Made  thee  tremble  oft  within, 
In  the  presence  of  thy  sin. 

By  thy  conscience  thus  condemned, 
And  the  law  thou  hast  contemned, 
Dreadful  must  it  be  to  dwell 
In  the  banishment  of  hell. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  151 

THE    PASSOVER. 

On  Egypt,  in  the  hush  of  night, 
The  Lord  Almighty  showed  his  might, 
And  with  the  shadow  of  his  hand 
Laid  low  the  firstborn  of  the  land. 

But  Israel's  hosts  uninjured  stood, 
Their  doorposts  sprinkled  with  the  blood; 
For  where  that  symbol  was  in  view, 
Its  sacred  meaning  well  he  knew. 

Another  solemn  night  is  near, 
When  death  to  sinners  will  appear; 
And  they  shall  quail  to  feel  its  power, 
Like  Egypt  in  that  midnight  hour. 

But  all  the  blood-besprinkled  band 
Shall  go  from  earth  to  God's  right  hand. 
Then  let  us  search  our  hearts  with  care, 
To  find  the  blood  of  Jesus  there. 


152  the;    templk     harp. 


LOSING   THE    SOUL. 

Could  mortal  make  the  world  his  throne, 
And  call  its  treasures  all  his  own. 
Its  sweets  would  not  be  sweet  within 
While  mingled  with  the  gall  of  sin. 

With  this  brief  life  the  scene  would  end, 
And  deep  remorse  his  bosom  rend. 
Then  what  a  hell  his  hell  would  be, 
When  poor  for  all  eternity! 

And  yet  for  less  are  thousand  sold: 
Immortals  are  exchanged  for  gold. 
More  than  a  million  worlds  in  worth 
They  give  to  grasp  a  little  earth. 

Eternal  life  is  thrown  away 
For  the  mere  trifles  of  a  day; 
A  day  that  has  so  dark  a  night 
They  think  of  it  with  dread  affright. 

Where  then  the  gain  by  sinners  sought? 
They  forfeit  everything  for  nought; 
And  only  endless  years  in  hell 

The  story  of  their  loss  can  tell. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  1 53 

DELAYING. 

When  Jesus  calls,  Give  me  thy  heart, 
In  youth  we  often  say,  Depart! 
And  so  we  turn  our  Lord  away. 
To  wait  a  more  convenient  day. 

Again  he  calls,  in  later  years, 
With  pleading  voice  and  tender  tears; 
But  still  we  think  the  time  unfit, 
And  feel  too  busy  to  submit. 

Thus  trifling  on  from  day  to  day, 
We  grow  accustomed  to  delay; 
And  so  in  sin  our  life  is  spent, 
And  death  decides  ere  we  repent. 

O  Savior!  do  not  yet  depart; 
Plead  once  again  within  the  heart. 
Some  soul,  perhaps,  will  humbly  bow 
And  heed  thy  gracious  pleading  now. 


154  TH£      TEMPLE      HARP. 

NO    PEACE    IN    SIN. 

O  ye  who  stray  from  God, 
Along  the  paths  of  sin! 
Your  conscience,  with  chastising  rod, 
Allows  no  peace  within. 

In  vain  you  oft  have  sought 
Some  lasting  joy  to  find; 
In  vain  against  your  conscience  fought, 
To  gain  a  peace  of  mind. 

In  vain  to  seek  again 
The  peace  from  which  you  stray. 
'Tis  God  that  giveth  peace  to  men; 
'Tis  sin  that  takes  away. 

Then  seek  at  once  his  face; 
From  sin  and  folly  cease; 
So  shall  you  taste  forgiving  grace 
And  all  the  joy  of  pence 


the:    temple     harp.  155 

CHOOSE. 
I.  John  v.  3. 

Come,  man,  and  seek  thy  God; 
His  pleasant  service  choose; 
He  asks  no  grievous  thing  of  thee; 
Then  why  shouldst  thou  refuse? 

'Tis  thine  to  heed  his  call; 
From  sin  and  death  to  flee; 
To  love  and  serve  as  thou  canst  do, 
And  be  what  thou  canst  be. 

'Tis  his  to'save  thy  soul 
And  give  thee  inward  strength; 
To  bring  thee  as  a  conqueror  through 
To  heaven,  thy  home,  at  length. 

Then  come  and  seek  his  face 
In  this,  his  gracious  day; 
In  Jesus  find  thy  sins  forgiven, 
And  walk  in  wisdom's  way. 


156  THE      TEMPLE       HARP. 


IN    THE    STORM. 

Lost  on  the  dark  tempestuous  deep, 
The  white  waves  bursting  wild, 

The  Lord  lay  wrapt  in  placid  sleep, 
Like  an  embosomed  child. 

"Save,  Master !"  the  disciples  cry; 

While  on  the  tempest  sweeps. 
"Peace,  peace,  be  still!"  is  his  reply; 

And  then  the  tempest  sleeps. 

So,  oft,  the  sinner,  conscience-tost, 

In  weary  anguish  weeps, 
And,  thinking  he  is  almost  lost, 

He  mourns  that  mercy  sleeps. 

But  let  him  leave  with  Christ  his  sin, 
And  prove  his  saving  power, 

lie  then  shall  find  a  peace  within 
Unknown  until  that  hour. 


THE      TEMPLE       HARP.  1 57 

REPENTING. 

1  long  have  trod  the  ways  of  sin, 
And  vainly  sighed  for  rest  within; 
In  vain  have  tried  my  heart  to  fill 
With  all  the  empty  husks  of  ill. 

In  vain  I  mingled  with  the  throng, 
And  joined  their  laughter  and  their  song; 
In  these,  alas!  I  could  not  find 
What  satisfied  the  heart  and  mind. 

Since  rest  in  sin  there  can  not  be, 
My  Father,  I  return  to  thee. 
Oh,  do  not  spurn  thy  sinful  child, 
Though  undeserving  and  defiled. 

[n  mercy  pardon  all  my  sin. 
And  save  me  from  its  power  within; 
Then  guide  me  in  the  narrow  way, 
And  save  me  in  thine  awful  daw 


158  TH3      TEMPLE      HARP. 

MAKE    A    STAND    FOR   JESUS. 

Oh,  make  a  stand  for  Jesus 

In  this,  his  gracious  day; 
Yes,  make  a  stand  for  Jesus 

While  now  he  says  you  may. 
The  days  and  years  are  passing, 

And  all  will  soon  be  past! 
Then  what,  ah!  what  awaits  you, 

Should  this  one  prove  your  last? 

Oh,  make  a  stand  for  Jesus 

Ere  comes  the  stress  of  life; 
Yes,  make  a  stand  for  Jesus, 

To  fit  you  for  the  strife. 
In  living  and  in  dying 

This  Helper  you  will  need, 
Who,  when  all  others  fail  you, 

Will  prove  a  Friend  indeed. 

Oh,  make  a  stand  for  Jesus, 

Who  gave  his  life  for  you; 
Yes,  make  a  stand  for  Jesus, 

And  let  your  life  be  true. 
Leave  not  till  some  to-morrow 

The  duty  of  to-day, 
But  make  a  stand  for  Jesus 

While  now  he  says  you  may. 


THE      TEMPLE      HARP.  1 59 

THE  REWARD  OF  SIN  IS  SURE. 
Num.  xxxii.  23. 

Across  the  path  by  sinners  trod 
Is  written,  by  the  hand  of  God, 
A  sentence  none  may  safely  doubt: 
"Be  sure  thy  sin  will  find  thee  out." 

In  vain  it  were  to  close  the  eyes; 
In  vain  the  warning  to  despise; 
In  vain  the  scoffer's  jibes  to  share: 
That  sentence  still  is  flaming  there. 

'Tis  fixed  as  the  eternal  throne; 
Its  truth  by  buried  ages  known; 
And  so  shall  unborn  ages,  too, 
Find  out  how  fearfully  'tis  true. 

O  wanderer  in  the  downward  way! 
Heed  thou  the  warning  word  to-day, 
And  from  thy  wanderings  turn  about 
Before  thy  sin  shall  find  thee  out. 


l6o  THE      TEMPLE      HARP. 

THE    JUDGMENT    DAY. 

Day  of  every  day  the  greatest, 

Day  for  which  all  clays  were  made. 

On  the  scroll  of  time  the  latest, 

Looked  for  long  and  long  delayed,- 

At  thy  coming 
Law  and  love  will  be  displayed. 

Day  of  joy  and  day  of  terror; 

Day  of  hope  and  day  of  fear; 
Day  of  sifting  truth  and  error; 

Day  to  doom  and  day  to  clear, — 
Saint  and  sinner 

Must  before  the  Judge  appear. 

Oh,  for  One,  our  interest  serving. 
Who  shall  of  the  Judge  procure 

Better  than  our  bad  deserving, 
Else  our  endless  doom  is  sure. 

Mighty  Savior! 
Thev  who  have  thee  are  secure. 


